NEW DELHI, March 4: Indian hockey captain Ignace Tirkey has described Pakistan as “main threat” in Group ‘B’ in which both teams have been clubbed together for Commonwealth Games in Melbourne from March 15.

“Pakistan have a strong team and will be the main threat to us in our group. Apart from them, we will also have to watch out for Malaysia and South Africa,” he said.

“We will specially have to be wary of South Africa, they gave us a tough fight in the Olympics last time.”

India have been clubbed together with Pakistan, Malaysia, South Africa and Trinidad & Tobago in Group ‘B’, while Group ‘A’ consists of Australia, New Zealand, England, Canada and Scotland.

India begin their campaign against Malaysia on March 17 followed by an encounter against arch-rivals Pakistan next day. They then clash with Trinidad & Tobago on March 20 before their last group clash against South Africa on March 22.

Calling recent home-and-away six-match series against Pakistan that India lost last month a good experience, Tirkey said it allowed youngsters to have a look and the team to try various options.

“The series against Pakistan was good as it gave us chance to play in our traditional style. It was a good experience for newcomers and since there was no pressure of it being a knockout tournament, we could make mistakes and learn from them,” he said.

About team’s strategy and his first outing as captain in a major tournament, he said India would continue to play attacking hockey, “as that is the only way we know to play. I know this is my first major tournament as captain but I am not nervous.—PPI