Focus on youth: Sardar, Ramandeep axed for HWL
LUCKNOW: Veterans Sardar Singh and Ramandeep Singh were dropped from the squad named on Friday for the Hockey World League Final, in a clear message by Hockey India that it wants fresh legs in side with a busy season ahead.
The Bhubneshwar tournament, to be played from December 1-10, will be a prelude to next year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia’s Gold Coast City, Asian Games in Jakarta, the London World Cup as well as the Olympic qualifiers.
Midfielder Sardar and forward Ramandeep, who were part of India’s Asia Cup victory in Japan early this month, did not find a place in the 18-player squad. India are in Group B with Australia, England and Germany. Spain, Argentina, Belgium and Netherlands are in Group A.
A number of youngsters from last year’s Junior World Cupwinning squad have been inducted. Barring their successive failures, Sardar and Ramandeep could find it difficult to stage a comeback. “Youngsters are the future, and we are trying a different combination in view of big events next year,” a Hockey India selector told Hindustan Times on condition of anonymity. “It’s not the end of the road for the veterans as they are still part of our scheme, but much would depend on the performance of these youngsters, especially in pressure situations.”
Young midfielder Manpreet Singh will lead the side again, while Chinglensana Singh would be his deputy. The return of experienced dragflicker Rupinder Pal Singh and Birendra Lakra would bolster the side.
India begin their campaign against defending champions Australia on the opening day. “It’s good to have Rupinder, who brings great experience, as well as Birendra back. Both are 100 per cent fit and eager to wear India colours again,” said the team’s 43-year-old Dutch chief coach, Sjoerd Marijne.
Junior World Cup stars Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar and Dipsan Tirkey, who have had promising outings in Europe and Asia Cup, are also in. In one of the best comebacks, Odisha’s Amit Rohidas, who had a fantastic outing in the 2017 Hockey India League that saw his return to the senior team, has been rewarded with a spot in the year’s biggest tournament.
“Amit was called-in as replacement for Kothajit, who had a hamstring injury before we left for Asia Cup. He flew in from Australia where he was with India ‘A’ which had played in the Australian Hockey League and grabbed the opportunity with both hands,” said Marijne.
India will have dragflickers in Rupinder, Harmanpreet, Varun, Amit and Dipsan. “We’ve five players who can drag and have been putting in extra hours for PC training which is great for the team,” he said.