It is past midnight in Sydney when India plays its 7pm hockey World Cup matches, but Michael Nobbs, who normally is an early sleeper, has made sure to stay up and catch the action on TV.

The former India coach, credited for being among those who encouraged youngsters in the senior team between 2011 and 2013, is mighty proud of having contributed in his own small way. "I said long before India won the Junior World Cup [2016] that this will be your side for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Getting rid of some of the older players like Sardar Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh will speed up play," Nobbs told mid-day from Down Under.