Gurbaj to lead India
CHENNAI: Centre half Gurbaj Singh, who missed the FIH Olympic Qualifier last month due to an injury, would lead the largely untested Indian side to the tri-nation tournament to be held in Lahore from April 9-13. Midfielder Manpreet Singh has been appointed his deputy in the selection meeting held on Monday for the tournament that features Pakistan and Malaysia.
The team includes only four players — Rupinderpal Singh, Manpreet Singh, Kothajit Singh Khadangbam and SK Uthappa — who represented India in the recently-concluded Olympic Qualifiers in New Delhi, where India beat France in the final to seal their place in the 2012 London Olympics.
Team: goalkeepers: PT Rao, Nanak Singh; Defenders: Rupinderpal Singh, Harbir Singh, Amit Rohidas; Midfielders: Gurbaj Singh (Captain), Manpreet Singh (Vice-Captain), Kothajit Singh Khadangbam, Gurmail Singh, MB Aiyappa, SK Uthappa, Dharamvir Singh, Nithin Thimmaiah; Forwards: Chinglinsana Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Pradhan Somanna, PL Thimmanna, MG Poonacha.
Standbys: Rahul Shilpkar (Defender), Stanley Victor Minz (Midfielder) Rocky Lochab (Midfielder), Mandeep Singh (Forward).
Officials: Mohd. N. Riaz (Coach), B.J Kariappa (Coach), Dr. Umesh TN (Doctor), Harishankar (Video Analyst), Ripudaman Sharma (Umpire), Anupam Ghulati (Administrative Manager), Rajeev Mehta (Manager).