Experienced midfielder Sardara Singh has been recalled in the 18-member Indian men’s hockey team for Champions Trophy 2018, beginning June 23 in the Netherlands. The selectors insisted on the experience of Ramandeep Singh in forward line and Birendra Lakra in defense. This trio was dropped by former coach Sjoerd Marijne in the team for Gold Coast CWG.
The Indian team will again be led by ace goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, under whose captaincy the Indian team created history by winning a silver in 2016 edition and rising to the podium in 34 years. Sreejesh was removed from the captaincy after the 2016 Rio Olympics. He will be accompanied by Junior world cup goalkeeper Krishan B. Pathak.
“I think that was the closest we came to winning the Gold and most importantly beating Australia. Though we had to settle for a second place, it was a memorable tournament. This time too, we want to make it a memorable one as it’s the last edition of the prestigious event,” said Sreejesh.
Newly appointed coach Harendra Singh said “The team is a good mix of youth and experienced players. Rabobank Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy Breda 2018 is an extremely important tournament for the players to showcase their firepower as the team for the forthcoming Asian Games in Jakarta will be picked basis performance at the XXI Commonwealth Games and the Rabobank Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy Breda 2018.
After a disappointing Commonwealth Games, Indian team will look to fight back in the Champions trophy and take the winning momentum in the Asian Games and all important Hockey World cup in Bhubaneswar.
“While this team will be put to test against another Asian powerhouse Pakistan who we will face in the Asian Games, Rabobank Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy Breda 2018 will provide the ideal platform to see where we stand against higher ranked teams like Australia, Belgium, The Netherlands and Argentina in the lead up to the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018,” Singh added.
India will begin their campaign at the Champions Trophy 2018 against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 23.
Indian men’s hockey team for Champions Trophy 2018
Goalkeepers: Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran (C), Krishan Bahadur Pathak
Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Surender Kumar, Jarmanpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra, Amit Rohidas
Midfielders: Manpreet Singh, Chinglensana Singh Kangujam (VC), Sardar Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad
Forwards: Sunil Sowmarpet Vitalacharya, Ramandeep Singh, Mandeep Singh, Sumit Kumar (Jr.), Akashdeep Singh, Dilpreet
