Manpreet Singh will lead a relatively young Indian hockey team for the upcoming 28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. An 18-member team was announced on Wednesday after many important players were ruled out of the tournament due to injuries.
Defender Surender Kumar will be the Vice-captain of the team led by Manpreet in the prestigious Sultan Azlan Shah Cup . The tournament is to be held in Ipoh, Malaysia from March 23 to 30.
Other than India and hosts Malaysia, the other participating nations are Canada, Korea, South Africa and Japan who won the Gold medal at the Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Team India gears up to start their first International Campaign of 2019! Take a good look at the 18-Member squad of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team who will be seen in action at the 28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2019 (Men) from 23rd March 2019 in Ipoh, Malaysia.#IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/qh8MfuY2GB
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) March 6, 2019
India to miss its experienced forwards
India will miss the experienced forwards SV Sunil, Akashdeep Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, besides defenders Rupinder Pal Singh, Harmanpreet Singh as well as midfielder Chinglensana Singh. Two junior players Vishal Antil and Pardeep Singh are also ruled out due to injuries.
According to a statement from Hockey India, all the injured players will continue their rehabilitation at the Sports Authority of India South Centre in Bengaluru.
“It is unfortunate that we will be missing some key players for the 28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2019 due to injury,” said Hockey India Director David John.
JUST IN: The 18-Member Indian Men’s Hockey Team has been announced for the 28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2019 which goes underway on 23rd March 2019 in Ipoh, Malaysia.
Read more: https://t.co/H47qSoZE14#IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/voOkKLAYnW
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) March 6, 2019
“However, it is important for them to return to 100 per cent fitness ahead of the FIH Series Final, which is a crucial tournament in our quest for 2020 Olympic berth. They will continue to remain in Bengaluru and work on their rehabilitation.”
Also Read: Lalremsiami, Harmanpreet Singh Wins Top Asian Hockey Honours
Prediction
It is a relatively young side but each of these players has tremendous potential and a good amount of international exposure. It is important to see how they fair in Malaysia as it will show the depth Indian team possess in the core group ahead of the Olympic Qualification events this year.
After the removal of Coach Harendra Singh post the World Cup where we lost in the quarterfinals, India is also missing the services of a coach.
The Indian team will leave for Ipoh, Malaysia from Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on March 18 and play its first game against Japan on March 23.
Congratulate players from Odisha, Birendra Lakra, Amit Rohidas & Shilanand Lakra for making it to the 18 member @TheHockeyIndia squad for 28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2019 from 23rd March 2019 in Malaysia. Their participation will surely fortify the team. Best wishes to the team. https://t.co/wBYitcvsNG
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) March 7, 2019
Indian Men Hockey squad for Azlan Shah Cup 2019
Goalkeepers: P R Sreejesh, Krishan B Pathak
Defenders: Gurinder Singh, Surender Kumar (vice-captain), Varun Kumar, Birendra Lakra, Amit Rohidas, Kothajit Singh Khadangbam
Midfielders: Hardik Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Sumit, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Manpreet Singh (captain)
Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sumit Kumar.
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