India to Australia via Malaysia

FOR KIRAN Arunasalam, the junior World Cup is an emotional homecoming. The ‘Indian’ in Australian ranks, Kiran’s parents have their roots in Tirupattur, a small town near Vellore in Tamil Nadu. "My dad and mother are Malaysian Indians," he says. "But they trace their heritage back to Tirupattur. We still have a family house there. I have been there about twice."

Kiran’s family moved to Australia 35 years ago when his father joined a university there. He, however, was born and brought up in Melbourne. “My brother played a bit of hockey, that’s how I picked up the sport,” says Kiran. No Indian-origin player has broken into the Australian senior team before. In that sense, Kiran has a huge obstacle in front of him. In an Australian team that boasts of strongly-built sixfooters, Kiran stands out with his tiny frame. But he does bring the fabled Indian ‘skills’ to the table. "Maybe I am not as fit as some of the other guys but I bring some skills to the team,” he says. “Maybe, that’ll help me to break into the main squad some day.”