Sardarsinghtolead,manpreet restedforazlanshahhockey
Selectors blood three youngsters; fitagain goalkeeper PR Sreejesh not included in squad
MUMBAI: Sardar Singh was recalled and appointed captain of a 28-member Indian hockey squad on Tuesday for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to be held in Ipoh, Malaysia from March 3-10.
The star midfielder was dropped for the last couple of events including the Hockey World League Final in Bhubaneswar at the year end. India will take on world No 1 Australia, Olympic champions Argentina, England, Ireland and hosts Malaysia in the tournament.
Apart from Argentina, the other five participants in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup will also line up at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast in April.
The Malaysia tournament will be a chance to blood youngsters ahead of tough events such as the Champions Trophy, Asian Games and the World Cup.
The selectors picked three debutants in Mandeep Mor, Sumit Kumar and Shilanand Lakra. “Just like the New Zealand tour where four players made their international debut, the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is a great opportunity for these new players to get exposure against top teams,” a Hockey India release quoted chief coach Sjoerd Marijne as saying.
Marijne, who was behind India’s success at the Men’s Asia Cup in 2017 and the bronze at the Hockey World League Final in Bhubaneswar last year, has also put faith in forward Ramandeep , who has been named vice-captain. Coach Marijne and the selectors have decided to rest regular skipper Manpreet Singh as they plan for a full calendar. Seasoned goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who recently returned from injury, is not included.
While Sumit Kumar (Jr) is in the ongoing senior men’s camp, Mandeep Mor and Shilanand Lakra have been called up from the junior core group. They were also part of the India colts team that won bronze at the Sultan of Johor Cup last year.
Introducing new players, Marijne is looking at long-term gains with eyes set on the 2020 Olympics. “With youngsters who have done well in New Zealand as well as few more getting the right international exposure, it will only help us create a bigger group. Playing top teams in their first tournament will be challenging, but this is also an opportunity for the seniors to help the youngsters adjust to this level,” added the 43-year-old Dutchman.
On Sardar’s role as captain, Marijne said, “Sardar is one of the leaders in the core group and in Manpreet’ s absence, he has been chosen for the job. He is very experienced.”