9 from Punjab in squad, Rupinder, Sunil ignored

New Delhi, November 8 

Manpreet Singh will lead India’s 18-member hockey squad for the FIH World Cup beginning in Bhubaneswar on November 28 but the experienced Rupinder Pal Singh and SV Sunil missed out from the team announced on Thursday.

Striker Sunil’s participation in the mega event was always in doubt ever since he picked up a knee injury during the national camp in the lead-up to the Asian Champions Trophy held in Muscat.

Rupinder Pal has been ignored again after being dropped from the continental event last month. 

The Indian team features nine players from Punjab —Krishan Pathak, Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Manpreet, Hardik Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Simranjeet Singh. 

While Jarmanpreet Singh and Gurinder Singh, who played in the Asian Champions Trophy, missed out, 20-year-old Hardik, who made his international debut last month, has been included in the midfield.

Senior player Birendra Lakra has made a comeback into the squad. In the absence of Rupinder, Harmanpreet, Varun and Amit Rohidas will form India’s penalty corner battery.

India, grouped in Pool C along with world No. 3 Belgium, Canada and South Africa, will start their campaign against South Africa on the opening day.

“We have chosen the best available combination for the World Cup. We had to make some tough decisions to select 18 out of a very strong pool of 34 players,” said chief coach Harendra Singh. 

The core group of 34 will continue to train in Bhubaneswar till November 23 before India play their World Cup opener. — PTI