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New Delhi - Sardar Singh will lead defending champions India in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey to be held in Doha, Qatar during Dec 20-27.
Fullback V.R. Raghunath will be the vice-captain of the 18-member team announced on Friday.
India defeated Pakistan 4-2 via penalty shoot-out in a nerve-wracking final to clinch the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy China last year.
The tournament will also feature China, Japan, Malaysia, Oman and Pakistan. India will open their campaign against China on Dec 20, followed by matches against Japan, Oman, Pakistan and Malaysia Dec 21, 23, 24 and 26.
India are currently playing the Champions Trophy in Australia.
The squad:
Goalkeepers:
1. PR Sreejesh
2. PT Rao
Fullbacks:
3. VR Raghunath (vice-captain)
4. Rupinderpal Singh
5. Harbir Singh
Half-backs:
6. Sardar Singh (captain)
7. Kothajit Singh
8. Birendra Lakra
9. Manpreet Singh
10. Gurmail Singh
Forwards:
11. SV Sunil
13. Danish Mujtaba
14. S.K. Uthappa
15. Nithin Thimmaiah
16. Yuvraj Walmiki
17. Dharamvir Singh
18. Akashdeep Singh
