Sardar returns for Champions Trophy
NEWDELHI: FORMER captain Sardar Singh was on Thursday brought back to bolster the Indian hockey team’s mid-field while Birendra Lakra was included to shore up the defence line-up for the Champions Trophy, beginning on June 23 in Breda, Netherlands. Hockey India announced the 18-member squad for the last edition of the prestigious event and made a lot of changes to the side, to be led by goalkeeper PR Sreejesh.
Sardar was not part of the squad, which had a disappointing outing at the Commonwealth Games 2018. He was expected to reclaim his place in the side after being included in the national camp in Bangalore.
Also making a comeback to the side is Lakra, who like Sardar, was not part of the CWG squad.
The selectors have dropped defenders Rupinder Pal Singh, Kothajit Singh and Gurinder Singh while Jaramanpreet Singh and Surendra Kumar were included. Among the strikers, the axe fell on Lalit Upadhyay and Gurjant Singh as Ramandeep Singh earned his place back.
The selectors also replaced goalkeeper Suraj Karkera with Krishan Pathak. Sreejesh, under whose captaincy India won a silver in the last edition, said the team is determined to do well.
India had lost the final to world No 1 Australia and it was their first podium finish at the event after 34 years. “I think that was the closest we came to winning the gold and most importantly beating Australia. Though we had to settle for second place, it was a memorable tournament. This time too, we want to make it a memorable one as it’s the last edition of the event,” said Sreejesh.