Rajpal left out of squad

Former captain Rajpal Singh was dropped from India’s squad for the hockey Olympic qualifier to be played at the Major Dhyan Chand National stadium here from February 18-26.

The selectors picked a final side of 18 on the basis of performances of the core group probables during the recently concluded India-South Africa Test Series.

Rajpal, along with forward Bharat Chikara, was retained in the 32-member probables, but both failed to make the final cut.

Rajpal had an appendix operation in October last year and was advised six weeks rest. He, though, insisted he was fit but was not given a chance to prove his fitness as promised by coach Michael Nobbs.

“Nobbs had told me that I will undergo fitness trials before the selection but that never happened. If my fitness is gauged by making me play in just one match (against South Africa), then that is not right. At least, I should be told where am I lacking on the fitness scale, so that I can work accordingly,” Rajpal told Deccan Herald.

“I am training with the team, which means I can play with the team. I was given no fitness schedule to work on during the last one month I have been here.”

Nobbs in fact had hinted during the national camp here that it will be difficult for Rajpal to find a place in the squad in terms of form and fitness and replace SV Sunil who has played well.

Youngsters SK Uthappa and Kothajit Singh, who made impressive debuts in the series against South Africa, have been included.

Another former captain Arjun Halappa has been kept as standby. Gurbaj Singh, who was injured too, has been left out.

Goalkeeper Bharat Chetri has been named the captain and reliable midfielder Sardar Singh vice-captain. Meanwhile, Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (HMCL) on Monday announced itself as the title sponsor of the men’s and women’s hockey qualifiers. The event is titled ‘Hero FIH Road to London.’

Squad: Goalkeepers: Bharat Chetri (capt), P R Sreejesh; Defenders: Sandeep Singh, V R Raghunath, Rupinderpal Singh; Midfielders: Sardar Singh (vice-capt), Manpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra, Ignace Tirkey, Kothajit Singh; Forwards: S V Sunil, Sarvanjit Singh, Shivendra Singh, Gurvinder Singh Chandi, Tushar Khandker, Danish Mujtaba, Yuvraj Walmiki, S K Uthappa; Standbys: Manjeet Kullu (Defender), V.S Vinaya (Midfielder), Arjun Halappa (Midfielder) Chinglensana Singh (Forward).