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The Sardar Singh-led Indian senior men’s hockey team leaves for Rotterdam later today to take part in the FIH Hockey World League semifinals commencing on June 13.
The national team completed its final camp at the Netaji Subhas Southern Centre (NSSC) in Bangalore on Sunday.
It may be worth recalling that the men in blue returned from an exposure tour of the Netherlands. The team dished out a pretty decent performance on the Dutch tour – they defeated the national side twice and also played five games against top Dutch clubs.
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The Indian team had earlier attended the first leg of the national camp in Bengaluru, before the team embarked on a tour of the Netherlands.
Burly drag-flicker Vokkaliga Raghunath will be the vice-captain of the side.
It may be mentioned here that both Sardar Singh and Vokkaliga Raghunath had donned the same roles in the 34th Champions Trophy in Melbourne, Asian Champions Trophy as well as in the FIH Hockey World League Round 2 tournament held in New Delhi.
The duo, however, was rested for the 22nd Sultan Azlan Shah Cup held in Ipoh. Sardar is, in fact, the most capped player with 167 internationals under his belt, while Raghunath has played more than 120 internationals.
Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh makes a comeback to the national side after last appearing in the 2012 London Olympics. Experienced forward Shivendra Singh also stages a national comeback after being cold-shouldered since the 2012 London Olympics.
The team is missing two key players on account of injuries. Striker Gurwinder Singh Chandi is still recovering from an ankle injury, while Danish Mujtaba, who was captain of the national team in the 22nd Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, is unavailable for the HWL because of a ligament tear injury.
Midfielder Birendra Lakra stages a comeback to the national side after being rested for the 22nd Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. Birendra, along with captain Sardar, would be complemented by Manpreet Singh, Kothajit Singh and rookie Gurmail Singh.
SV Sunil, who was among four rested the 22nd Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, is back in the national fold. Shivendra and Sunil would lend the experience quotient to the forwardline.
Talented youngsters like 18-year-old Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Chinglensana Singh and Nithin Thimmaiah with the rapidly improving Dharamvir Singh would look to bolster Sunil and Shivendra.
PR Sreejesh, who was outstanding in the 22nd Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, will spearhead the goalkeeping duties and will be supported by PT Rao.
India are placed in Pool B with hosts The Netherlands, New Zealand and Ireland.
India will launch their HWL campaign against Ireland on June 13. They play hosts Netherlands on June 15 and wrap up their league engagements against New Zealand on June 17.
The squad: Goalkeepers: P R Sreejesh, P T Rao; Defenders: VR Raghunath (vice-captain), Sandeep Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Harbir Singh Sandhu; Midfielders: Birendra Lakra, Sardar Singh (captain), Manpreet Singh, Kothajit Singh, Gurmail Singh; Forwards: SV Sunil, Shivendra Singh, Chinglensana Singh, Nithin Thimmaiah, Dharamvir Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh.
