Mumbai–based hockey goalkeeper Suraj Karkera considers himself fortunate to be part of the Indian team at the World Cup here. That's because he is a part of the Indian camp inspite of failing to make the 18-member World Cup line-up. He is among the stand-bys, who have been retained by the team management so that they gain valuable exposure at the quadrennial showpiece event.

"It's a great opportunity to be part of a World Cup team in your own country. How many players get that opportunity? If the tournament was abroad, we [stand-bys] would not have been taken along," Karkera, 23, a Malad resident, told mid-day during a visit to the Fan Village at the Kalinga Stadium here
recently.