Sandeep, Tushar axed from Indian hockey squad

CHENNAI: The London disaster took its toll on Monday. The Indian hockey selectors dropped seniors like Sandeep Singh, Ignace Tirkey, Tushar Khandkar and Shivendra Singh from the team for the International Super Series to be held in Perth from November 22 to 25.

The same team will play in the Champions Trophy in Melbourne from December 1 to 9.

The Indian hockey team finished last in the London Olympics. India will open their Super Series campaign against England on November 22, followed by Australia (November 23) and Pakistan (November 24).

Though both Ignace and Shivendra have fitness problems, it was reliably learnt that Sandeep’s case was completely different. The selection committee comprising Col. Balbir Singh, BP Govinda, Thoiba Singh, government observer Harbinder Singh and chief coach Michael Nobbs “wanted to teach Sandeep a lesson for taking his place for granted”.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh, PT Rao; fullbacks: VR Raghunath (vice-captain), Rupinder Pal Singh, Harbir Singh; halfbacks: Sardar Singh (captain), Kothajit Singh, Birendra Lakra, Manpreet Singh, Gurmail Singh; Forwards: SV Sunil, Gurvinder Singh Chandi, Danish Mujtaba, SK Uthappa, Nithin Thimmaiah, Yuvraj Walmiki, Dharamvir Singh, Akashdeep Singh; standbyes: Srenivas Rao (goalkeeper), Amit Rohidas (defender), M B Aiyappa (halfback), Chinglensana Singh (forward), Pradhanna Sommanna (forward), PL Thimmanna (forward).