Veteran drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh, who recently came out of retirement, will lead India in the Asia Cup as Hockey India on Monday announced a 20-man squad for the upcoming tournament in Jakarta.
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The prestigious event to be held from 23 May to 1 June is the World Cup Qualifiers.
Senior players like Manpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh will miss the tournament.
Birender Lakra has been named Rupinder’s deputy for the event, where a second string team represents India.
Both Rupinder and Lakra announced their retirement after the Tokyo Games last year but later made themselves available for selection.
This will be the first assignment as India coach for former captain and two-time Olympian Sardar Singh.
India are placed in Pool A along with Japan, Pakistan and hosts Indonesia, while Malaysia, Korea, Oman and Bangladesh are placed in Pool B.
The team has 10 senior debutants, including junior World Cup players Yashdeep Siwach, Abhishek Lakra, Manjeet, Vishnukant Singh and Uttam Singh.
Also in the team will be new Mariswaren Sakthivel, Shesh Gowda BM, Pawan Rajbhar, Aabharan Sudev and S Karthi.
The team has two goalkeepers Pankaj Kumar Rajak and Suraj Karkera. Defenders include Rupinder, Yashdeep Siwach, Abhishek Lakra, Lakra, Manjeet, Deepsan Tirkey, Vishnukant Singh, Rajkumar Pal, Mariswaren Sakthivel, Shesh Gowda BM, Simranjit Singh.
Forwards Pawan Rajbhar, Bharan Sudev, SV Sunil, Uttam Singh and S. Karthi have also been named in the squad.
Junior World Cup players Maninder Singh and Neelam Sanjeev Zess have been named as replacement players, while Pawan, Pradeep Singh, Ankit Pal and Angad Bir Singh have been named as standbys.
Speaking about the composition of the team, coach BJ Cariappa said, “The team is a good mix of experienced senior players and freshmen, many of whom have played at international level in matches of different age groups, but have not made their senior India debuts. has done.
“Since India being the host has already qualified for the FIH Men’s World Cup, it will be a good platform for us to try out this new group and test how these players make use of the opportunity.”
Coach Sardar said, “It is a very talented group of players and I have seen them work really hard over the last few weeks to make it to the team.
“On the personal front, this will be my first tournament as India coach and I am looking forward to this new experience.”
A member of the national selection committee said that it has been decided that India will field its reserve players in the Asia Cup so that the youngsters get a chance to test their potential among the best players at the continental level.
“When we announced sending our ‘A’ team to the Commonwealth Games earlier this year, we had already decided to send a group of players to the Asia Cup to help them gain experience. Now that the Asian Games has been postponed, giving us more time to test our bench strength.
“With a packed schedule, it also provides our core team players to take breaks and prepare their best here in the national camp. It also gives youngsters a chance to make their mark and make it to the senior team.”
Indian men’s team:
Goalkeepers: Pankaj Kumar Rajak, Suraj Karkera
Defenders: Rupinder Pal Singh (Captain), Yashdeep Siwach, Abhishek Lakra, Birender Lakra (Vice Captain), Manjeet, Deepson Tirkey
Midfielders: Vishnukant Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Mariswaren Sakthivel, Shesh Gowda BM, Simranjit Singh
Forwards: Pawan Rajbhar, Bharan Sudev, SV Sunil, Uttam Singh, S Karthi
Replacement Players: Maninder Singh, Neelam Sanjeev Zess
Standby: Pawan, Pradeep Singh, Ankit Pal, Angad Bir Singh.
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