New Delhi, 17 November 2017: Sardar Singh rested while Rupinderpal Singh recalled for the Hockey World League finals to be come off in Bhubneswar in two weeks’ time.
The Indian challenge in the 8-nation top event will be shouldered by midfield marshal Manpreet Singh, while Chinglensana Singh is the vice captain. The team will see Akash Chikte and Suraj Karkera guard the Indian goalpost. Rupinder Pal Singh and Birendra Lakra make a comeback.
The midfield will see SK Uthappa, Kothajit Singh and Sumit join Manpreet and Chinglensana. The backline will see the return of the experienced dragflick specialist Rupinder Pal Singh and Odisha-lad Birendra Lakra.
“It is good to have Rupinder, who brings great experience, as well as Birendra back in the team. Both are 100 per cent fit and eager to wear the India colours again,” stated the 43-year-old Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne.
Junior World Cup stars Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar and Dipsan Tirkey, who have had promising outings in Europe and Asia Cup, too find themselves in the squad for the last major event of the HWL.
In perhaps one of the best comeback stories of the year, Odisha-lad Amit Rohidas, who had a fantastic outing in 2017 Coal India Hockey India League that stemmed his return to the Senior Camp, has been rewarded with a place in the biggest tournament of the year.
“Amit was called-in as a replacement for Kothajit who had a hamstring injury just before we left for the Asia Cup. He flew in directly from Australia where he had played the Australian Hockey League for India ‘A’ team and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands,” stated the Dutchman.
He further added that the team will have dragflick-options in Rupinder, Harmanpreet, Varun, Amit and Dipsan. “We have five players in defence who can drag and have been putting in extra hours for PC training which is great for the team,” Sjoerd said.
The forwardline will see the experienced SV Sunil along with Akashdeep Singh, Gurjant Singh who had a promising Asia Cup, Lalit Upadhyay and 22-year-old Mandeep Singh returning to the team after being rested for Asia Cup.
The Dutchman emphasized that this team is a great mix of experienced seniors and energetic youngsters who will add to the team’s enthusiasm. “I think this is a great mix and would especially like to see how the youngsters soak up the pressure of playing against higher ranked teams in the world. We will have to play every match like it is the Final and will have absolutely no room to make errors if we want to see ourselves on the podium,” concluded Chief Coach Marijne.
SQUAD:
Goalkeepers
1. Akash Anil Chikte
2. Suraj Karkera
Defenders
3. Harmanpreet Singh
4. Amit Rohidas
5. Dipsan Tirkey
6. Varun Kumar
7. Rupinderpal Singh
8. Birendra Lakra
Midfielders
9. Manpreet Singh (C)
10. Chinglensana Singh (VC)
11. SK Uthappa
12. Sumit
13. Kothajit Singh
Forwards
14. SV Sunil
15. Akashdeep Singh
16. Mandeep Singh
17. Lalit Kumar Upadhyay
18. Gurjant Singh