New Delhi: Odisha stars Birendra Lakra and Amit Rohidas have been named Thursday in India’s squad for the FIH men’s hockey World Cup, starting in Bhubaneswar November 28.
However, experienced campaigners Rupinder Pal Singh and SV Sunil have been excluded as Manpreet Singh will lead the 18-member team for the mega event which will conclude December 16.
Veteran striker Sunil’s participation in the mega event was always in doubt ever since he picked up a knee injury during the national camp in the lead up to the Asian Champions Trophy played in Muscat last month.
Rupinder has been ignored again after being dropped from the continental event last month. Sunil too did not play in the tournament in which India were declared joint winners with Pakistan after rain played spoilsport on the final day.
The Indian team, which will play their campaign opener against South Africa on the opening day, are featuring PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak as goalkeepers. Manpreet’s deputy will be Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, Hockey India said in a statement.
Experienced Odia defender Lakra, who is making a comeback into the team after missing out in Muscat due to rehabilitation, Rohidas, Surender Kumar, Kothajit Singh, 2016 Junior World Cup winners Harmanpreet Singh and Varun Kumar will form India’s defence with three of them being drag-flick specialists.
The midfield will feature the dynamic Manpreet and experienced Chinglensana along with young guns Sumit, Nilakanta Sharma and Hardik Singh. The forward line has the experienced Akashdeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay and Junior World Cup winners Mandeep Singh, Simranjeet Singh.
India, grouped in Pool C along with World No.3 Belgium, Canada and South Africa, will need to finish on top of the pool to secure a place in the quarterfinals.
“We had to make some tough decisions to select 18 out of a very strong pool of 34 players. These players have consistently shown their potential in the lead up to the showpiece event and I am confident India will put up a fighting performance,” asserted Chief Coach Harendra Singh.
The squad: (Goalkeepers) PR Sreejesh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak; (Defenders) Harmanpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra, Varun Kumar, Kothajit Singh Khadangbam, Surender Kumar, Amit Rohidas; (Midfielders) Manpreet Singh (C), Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Sumit; (Forwards) Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and Simranjeet Singh.
