Sardar Singh to lead Indian hockey team in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
New Delhi, February 21: Ending to speculations of Sardar Singh's inclusion in the Indian men's hockey team for the upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Hockey India on Tuesday declared the veteran midfielder as a captain. Notably, the prestigious 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup will begin on March 3 of this year in Ipoh, Malaysia.
Hockey India on Tuesday, declared the team for upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. The Indian team featuring three debut players in Mandeep Mor, Sumit Kumar and Shilanand Lakra, will be Captained by the experienced Sardar Singh while the responsibility of Vice Captain will be shouldered by forward Ramandeep Singh.
Sardar Singh will play in the midfield along with SK Uthappa, Sumit, Nilakanta Sharma and Simranjeet Singh. India’s defence will be guarded by Varun Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Dipsan Tirkey, Surender Kumar and newcomers Mandeep Mor and Nilam Sanjeep Xess while the Indian goalpost will be kept by Suraj Karkera and Krishan Pathak. The forward line will feature Gurjant Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Talwinder Singh and debut players Sumit Kumar (Junior) and Shilanand Lakra.
Indian Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne said, “Just like the New Zealand Tour where four players made their International debut, the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is a great opportunity for these new players to get international exposure against top teams.”
“With youngsters who have done well in New Zealand as well as few more getting the right international exposure, it will only help us create a bigger group. Playing top teams in their first tournament will be challenging but this is also an opportunity for the seniors to help the youngsters adjust to this level,” Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne added.
On Sardar Singh’s role as the Captain, 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.”
“This tournament is extremely important for the players who are going because it is another opportunity for them to experience high-level competition especially from teams like Australia and Argentina. This is a chance for them to show their capability in the international level and ensure their place in the squad for future tournaments,” Marijne concluded.
Importantly, the prestigious 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup will see World No.1 Australia, World No.2 Argentina, England, India, Ireland and hosts Malaysia in an exciting contest that begins on 3rd March and ends on March 10 of this year.