Rajpal retained captain for hockey World Cup

NEW DELHI: Forward Rajpal Singh was on Saturday retained skipper of the Indian hockey team for this month’s World Cup, putting an end to speculation on the captaincy issue.

There were no major surprises in the 18-member squad which was finalised after the trials attended by the selectors and the teams coaching staff.

But just before the team was formally announced, the name of Prabhjot Singh was doing the rounds for captaincy while four vice-captains were also being talked about for the high-profile event to be held at the renovated Dhyan Chand Stadium from February 28 to March 13.

Surprisingly, sources in Hockey India and also in the team initially said that Parbhjot has been appointed captain.

The official release from Hockey India, however, clarified that Rajpal would lead the side and there was no vice-captain at all. Three players have been kept as standbyes.

The selection trials were attended by BP Govinda, Madhu Yadav, Sita Mehta (all selectors), Ajit Pal Singh and Zafar Iqbal (government nominees), chief coach Jose Brasa and national coach Harinder Singh.

SV Sunil, who suffered a knee injury, has not been included in the squad which will take on arch rivals Pakistan in its opening match on February 28.

The squad has two goalkeepers in Adrian D’Souza and PR Sreejesh, three defenders, six mid-fielders and seven forwards.

Ace drag flicker and former captain Sandeep Singh who has been recovering from an injury has been included in the squad.

Apart from Rajpal, Shivendra Singh, Tushar Khandker, Prabhjot Singh, Sarwanjit Singh, Deepak Thakur and Gurvinder Singh Chandi are the other forwards.

The Squad:

Goalkeepers: Adrian D’Souza, P R Sreejesh

Defenders: Sandeep Singh, Dhananjay Mahadik, Diwakar Ram

Mid-fielders: Gurbaj Singh, Sardar Singh, Bharat, Arjun Halappa, Danish Mujtaba, Vikram Pillay

Forwards: Rajpal Singh, Shivendra Singh, Tushar Khandker, Prabhjot Singh, Sarwanjit Singh, Deepak Thakur, Gurvinder Singh Chandi.