Sardar Singh to lead India in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

New Delhi, February 20: Veteran Sardar Singh named captain of the Indian men's hockey team for the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. Ramandeep Singh has been selected as Sardar's deputy.

The Azlan Shah Cup will be played from March 3 to March 11 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh.

Besides host Malaysia and India, the tournament will also feature World No 1 Australia, World No. 2 Argentina, England and Ireland.

Besides experienced Sardar Singh, India will field three rookie players in Mandeep Mor, Sumit Kumar (Jr) and Shilanand Lakra, who are set to make their debut.

While Sumit Kumar (jr) is part of the ongoing senior men's national camp, Mandeep Mor and Shilanand Lakra have been called up from the junior men's core group.

The two were also part of the India colts team that won bronze medal at the Sultan of Johor Cup last year.

By introducing new players to the senior fold, coach Sjoerd Marijne is looking at long-term gains for the team that includes the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

"Just like the New Zealand tour where four players made their international debut, the Azlan Shah Cup is a great opportunity for these new players to get international exposure against top teams," said Marijne.

Lifeline for Sardar

The tourney will be an opportunity of resurrection for Sardar, who is standing at the twilight of his career.

Sardar has been in and out of the team lately and was ignored from India's last two international assignments.

He last played for India at the Asia Cup but was dropped from the Indian squads for the Hockey World League Final last December and then for the tour of New Zealand.

He now has another lifeline after regular skipper Manpreet Singh was rested.

Marijne, said, "Sardar is one of the leaders in the core group and in Manpreet Singh's absence, he has been chosen for the job. He is an experienced player and having missed two tournaments previously, this is an opportunity for him to show his skills."

Goalkeepers: Suraj Karkera, Krishan B Pathak

Defenders: Amit Rohidas, Dipsan Tirkey, Varun Kumar, Surender Kumar, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Mandeep Mor.

Midfielders: SK Uthappa, Sardar Singh (Captain), Sumit, Nilakanta Sharma, Simranjeet Singh.

Forwards: Gurjant Singh, Ramandeep Singh (vice-captain), Talwinder Singh, Sumit Kumar (jr), Shilanand Lakra.