Rajpal to lead India in hockey World Cup

By Tushar Bhaduri in New Delhi

RAJPAL Singh will lead India in the upcoming World Cup after Hockey India announced an 18- man squad for the event, but the announcement did not come without its share of controversy.

The squad contains no real surprises with only SV Sunil, who injured his right knee during training a few weeks ago, the one to miss out.

However, true to the way in which the national sport is managed in the country, there was confusion just before the official announcement when Prabhjot Singh was said to have been chosen for the leadership role. It also emerged that Rajpal, goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza, Arjun Halappa and Deepak Thakur were to be the four vice- captains.

However, Hockey India’s official release quashed all speculation naming Rajpal as captain without any deputy. Three players were named as stand- bys.

“ The squad was finalised after the trials attended by BP Govinda, Sita Mehta, Madhu Yadav ( all selectors), Ajitpal Singh and Zafar Iqbal ( government nominees), chief coach Jose Brasa and national coach Harendra Singh,” the Hockey India release said.

Interestingly, when contacted, Ajitpal failed to clear the air over whether there was any difference of opinion. “ We had given our recommendations to Hockey India and it is their job to announce the team. If you have any questions, you should ask them,” Ajitpal told M AIL T ODAY . The squad has two goalkeepers, three defenders, six midfielders and seven forwards. Former captain Sandeep Singh, who missed the Champions Challenge in December due to injury, finds a place in the squad.

It is learnt that Brasa had recommended

Prabhjot’s name as skipper and four deputies which the selectors over- ruled. Prabhjot has certainly not taken it well.

“ The coach had named me captain and it was changed by Hockey India. How can they do that? It is the coach who has to get the team playing in the World Cup. The coach doesn’t know that he has been over- ruled. They will have to change their decision.

They haven’t heard the last in this matter,” he told M AIL T ODAY . Prabhjot said the fact that he was at the forefront during the pay dispute may have counted against him. “ That may have been the reason. There are no issues between me and Rajpal.

Hockey India is spreading dissension and disturbing the concentration of the team so close to the World Cup.” When asked whether the players were asked about their choice for captain, Rajpal said: “ This was a selection, not an election. We were not at the meeting so I have no idea what transpired there.” The forward now has his eyes firmly on the challenges ahead which start with the match against arch- rivals Pakistan on the opening day of the World Cup on February 28. “ My aim would be to ensure that the team does well and it would be great if can take the gold medal on home soil,” Rajpal said. “ All teams are tough and the first match will be very important as it will set the tone for us.” But the team will first try to ensure that they secure a place in the semi- finals. “ Every team will enter the competition to win the World Cup. But we will aim for a top- four berth. We finished 11th last time and it will be a big improvement,” he said. “ The way we are playing, a top- four place is not out of the question,” the striker said.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Adrian D’Souza, PR Sreejesh Defenders: Sandeep Singh, Dhananjay Mahadik, Diwakar Ram Midfielders: Gurbaj Singh, Sardar Singh, Bharat, Arjun Halappa, Danish Mujtaba, Vikram Pillay Forwards: Rajpal Singh ( captain), Shivendra Singh, Tushar Khandker, Prabhjot Singh, Sarwanjit Singh, Deepak Thakur, Gurvinder Singh Chandi Standbys: Mandeep Antil, Birendar Lakra Sr, Vikas Sharma