India on Wednesday named a relatively young 18-member team, to be led by midfielder Manpreet Singh, for the 28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup after several key players were ruled out of the prestigious hockey tournament due to injuries. Manpreet will be assisted by a new deputy in defender Surender Kumar in the tournament to be held in Ipoh, Malaysia, from March 23 to 30.
India, which starts its campaign against Japan on March 23, will miss the services of experienced forwards S.V. Sunil, Akashdeep Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, besides defenders Rupinder Pal Singh, Harmanpreet Singh as well as midfielder Chinglensana Singh, who all are sidelined due to injuries.
Two junior players, Vishal Antil and Pardeep Singh, also missed the cut owing to injuries.
According to a statement from Hockey India, all the injured players will continue their rehabilitation at the Sports Authority of India South Centre in Bengaluru.
The team will have the experienced P.R. Sreejesh under the goalpost while Krishan B. Pathak will be the second custodian.
The backline will be spearheaded by vice-captain Surender in the company of Gurinder Singh, Birendra Lakra, Kothajit Singh Khadangbam and the dragflick duo of Varun Kumar and Amit Rohidas.
Skipper Manpreet will man the midfield alongside young guns Vivek Sagar Prasad, Hardik Singh, Sumit and Nilakanta Sharma.
India’s forwardline consists of Mandeep Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Shilanand Lakra and Sumit Kumar.
The team will leave for Ipoh from Bengaluru on March 18.
The team: Goalkeepers: P.R. Sreejesh, Krishan B. Pathak.
Defenders: Gurinder Singh, Surender Kumar (vice-capt.), Varun Kumar, Birendra Lakra, Amit Rohidas, Kothajit Singh Khadangbam.
Midfielders: Hardik Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Sumit, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Manpreet Singh (capt.).
Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sumit Kumar.
