Senior players Rupinder Pal Singh and SV Sunil have been excluded from India’s team for the men’s hockey World Cup, starting 28 November in Bhubaneswar. Manpreet Singh on the other hand, will be leading the 18-member squad at the tournament, announced Hockey India on Thursday, 8 November.
India’s 18-member squad for the Hockey World Cup.
The Indian team scheduled to begin their campaign against South Africa on the opening day features PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak as goalkeepers. Manpreet's deputy will be Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, Hockey India said in a statement.
Defender Birendra Lakra will make a comeback into the team after missing out the Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat last month due to rehabilitation and will be joined by fellow Odia Amit Rohidas, Surender Kumar, Kothajit Singh and 2016 Junior World Cup winners Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar to form India's defence with three of them specialised as dragflickers.
After leading India to the Asian Champions Trophy title (shared with Pakistan), captain Manpreet will lead India’s attack in the midfield. Chinglensana Singh Kangujam will add to the experience in the center along with young guns Sumit, Nilakanta Sharma also of the Junior World Cup team and Hardik Singh, who made his international debut last month.
India grouped in Pool C along with World No 3 Belgium, Canada and South Africa will need to finish on top of the pool to secure a place in the quarter-final.
The core group of 34 will continue to train in Bhubaneswar till 23 November after which the team will finalise its preparations for the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018.
. Read more on Hockey by The Quint.RSS & BJP’s Nehru-Netaji ‘Cosplay’: Irony Dies a Thousand DeathsHockey World Cup: Manpreet to Lead India, Rupinder Misses Out . Read more on Hockey by The Quint.