Sandeep, Sardar likely to return to national fold

Uthra G Chaturvedi

Sandeep Singh and Sardar Singh, termed as “repeat offenders” by Hockey India and banned for two years for indiscipline, are likely to be given one last chance to revive their international career.

The two are slated to appear before a disciplinary panel in the capital on Wednesday and, according to sources, the federation will most likely allow them to come back into the national fold but with a set of conditions — their selection to the team would be dependant on their performances in the trials with chief coach Michael Nobbs taking a final call and a two-year probation period where any offence will result in an automatic ban.

“Both Sandeep and Sardar had already sent in their appeal against the ban to Hockey India last week and sought a personal meeting with HI secretary general Narinder Batra. They have also apologised for their conduct and promised not to repeat it,” a top federation official told The indian Express. “They are world class players, there is not doubt about that. And with the Olympic qualifiers looming, the federation wants to leave no stone unturned,” the official added.

Sandeep and Sardar had been banned after walking out of the national team just days before departure for the Asian Champions Trophy last month, citing “not being in the right frame of mind”. In their absence, VR Raghunath and Vikas Sharma were drafted in as replacements and both impressed Nobbs during the title win in ACT. Nobbs has already made it clear that it would be tough for Sandeep and Sardar to return and they will have to earn their places back.

Before this, the duo had also failed to appear for trials for the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament (because of commitments in the Belgium league) and then left the camp without permission to attend a promotional event for the WSH, but apologised every time.