Rajpal retained as World Cup captain

There were no major surprises in the 18-member squad which was finalised after the trials attended by the selectors and the coaching staff.

Forward Rajpal Singh was retained as skipper of the Indian hockey team for this month’s World Cup, which was finalised after a selection trial attended by B P Govinda, Madhu Yadav, Sita Mehta (selectors), Ajit Pal Singh and Zafar Iqbal (government nominees), chief coach Jose Brasa and national coach Harendra Singh.

S V Sunil, who suffered a knee injury, has not been included in the squad which will take on arch rivals Pakistan in its opening match on February 28.

The squad has two goalkeepers in Adrian D’Souza and P R Sreejesh, three defenders, six midfielders and seven forwards. Ace drag flicker and former captain Sandeep Singh who has been recovering from an injury has been included in the squad. Apart from Rajpal, Shivendra Singh, Tushar Khandker, Prabhjot Singh, Sarwanjit Singh, Deepak Thakur and Gurvinder Singh Chandi are the other forwards.

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Adrian D’Souza, P R Sreejesh; Defenders: Sandeep Singh, Dhananjay Mahadik, Diwakar Ram; Midfielders: Gurbaj Singh, Sardar Singh, Bharat, Arjun Halappa, Danish Mujtaba, Vikram Pillay; Forwards: Rajpal Singh, Shivendra Singh, Tushar Khandker, Prabhjot Singh, Sarwanjit Singh, Deepak Thakur, Gurvinder Singh Chandi.