Chetri to lead hockey team in Olympics

India yesterday named a 16-member hockey squad, to be led by goalkeeper Bharat Chetri, for next month’s London Olympics, ending days of speculation but as expected without any major surprises.

Only two changes were made from the squad that finished third in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Malaysia with striker Yuvraj Walmiki and Rupinderpal Singh being left out, preferring veteran Ignace Tirkey and Gurwinder Singh Chandi in their place. Star mid-fielder Sardar Singh will be the vice-captain of the team.

The selectors decided to go in with two goalkeepers in captain Chetri and PR Sreejesh for the quadrennial sporting extravaganza to be held in London from July 27 to August 12.

According to the squad announced by Hockey India, Sarwanjeet Singh and Kothajit Singh would travel with the team to London as standbys.

India squad: Goalkeepers: Bharat Chetri (captain) and PR Sreejesh, Defenders: VRRaghunath, Ignace Tirkey, Sandeep Singh, Midfielders: Sardar Singh (vice captain), Kothajit Singh, Gurbaj Singh, Birendra Lakra, Manpreet Singh, Forwards: SV Sunil, Gurwinder Singh Chandi, Sarvanjit Singh, Shivendra Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Tushar Khandker, Dharamvir Singh, SK Uthappa.

Team officials: Michael Nobbs (chief coach), Mohammed Riaz (coach), Clarence Lobo (coach), David John ( physiotherapist), Shrikant Iyengar (manager), Hari Shanker Narayanan (video analyst).