SANDEEP SIDELINED FOR 3 WEEKS WITH ACUTE LUMBAR STRAIN

Finally, Rajpal Singh will lead India in the forthcoming Champions Challenge hockey tournament in Salta, Argentina, from December 6 to 13, it is learnt.

Hockey India had earlier over-ruled coach Jose Brasa’s decision to appoint Rajpal ahead of drag-flicker Sandeep Singh as captain but eventually opted for the forward to lead the team.

Later in the evening, news that Sandeep had been ruled out for the next three weeks only served to underline that the Spaniard had all along been in the right. When he first named Rajpal as skipper, Brasa had said Sandeep’s medical condition made it unlikely that he would be part of the squad for the immediate future.

The decision had kicked off an absurd furor with talk of a “players’ revolt” doing the rounds before Hockey India stepped in, only to muddy the waters further with their own brand of prevarication before accepting the inevitable on Saturday.

According to reports, Sandeep will be replaced by Diwakar Ram in the 21member Indian squad.

The former skipper, suffering from an acute lumbar strain, has been advised rest for at least three weeks.

“Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh has been medically ruled out for the FIH Men’s Champions Challenge hockey tournament to be played at Salta, Argentina from December 6-13,” HI said on the day. “As per the medical report of orthopedic surgeon Dr Parag Sancheti, he is suffering from acute lumbar strain with right L5 radculopathy. He has to undergo rehabilitation programme for a period of three weeks and has been advised not to do any strenuous activity which might aggravate his pain.

“He has also been advised not to play competitive hockey during this period. The surgeon has advised Sandeep to come for re-examination at Pune after three weeks,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, at a meeting in Pune, the players agreed that Brasa would pick the skipper based on “performance”.
They also agreed to give in writing that they would not “interfere” in his coaching methods.

A revolt was brewing after HI named Rajpal as skipper for the eight-nation tournament in place of Sandeep.
The problem was compounded when Brasa said that Sandeep was removed as captain since it was affecting the drag-flicker’s game.