'All-Indian support staff crucial to Delhi's success in HIL'

Unbeaten so far in the competition, the Waveriders are leading the points table with 22 points from five games and Sardar feels the team's support staff played a big role in these results.

"A K Bansal (head coach) has been part of the hockey scene in India for eons and has so much of experience that his strategies and tactics make all the difference in our game," he said.

Speaking about how the domestic players are benefiting from the presence of international stars in the league, Sardar said the Indians have a tendency to crack under pressure and they are now learning how to handle difficult situations during a game.

"They guide us on how to play from a particular point on the field and move ahead. If the team is losing then how to play and if the team is winning then how we should manage the game. These small things always make a big difference for a team that is looking to win matches," he added.

Leading a team with multiple international stars could be a herculean task for any captain and many have crumbled under the pressure in the past, but the Waveriders' skipper is unperturbed by the difficult task at hand. MORE