Rajpal left out of Champions Challenge team

NEW DELHI: Former captain Rajpal Singh and veteran midfielder Ignace Tirkey were the notable omissions from an 18-member Indian hockey team announced on Friday for the FIH Men’s Champions Challenge I from November 26 to December 4 in Johannesburg.

Tirkey was vice-captain of the team during the recent tour of Australia and has been replaced by forward Tushar Khandekar in the position.

Other notable omissions were forwards Bharat Chikara, Ravipal and Gurvinder Singh Chandi.

Striker Shivendra Singh also returns to the team after remaining on the sidelines for a few months with a freak collarbone injury that he suffered during a national camp in B Bangalore in July this year.

India have been drawn in Pool A of the Championship along with Belgium, Poland and host South Africa. Birendra Lakra and Chinglensana Singh Kangujam were the new entrants in the team.

The team will be captained by goalkeeper Bharat Chetri who has 116 international caps.