Manpreet to lead team for Azlah Shah

Manpreet Singh will lead a young 18-member Indian team for the 28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia, from March 23 to 30.

Manpreet will be assisted by a new deputy in defender Surender Kumar for the tournament which features hosts Malaysia, Canada, Korea, South Africa and Japan, the Asian Games gold medallists.

India will flag off their campaign against Japan on March 23 but will miss the services of experienced forwards SV Sunil, Akashdeep Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay besides defenders Rupinder Pal Singh, Harmanpreet Singh as well as midfielder Chinglensana Singh owing to injuries.

Two junior players Vishal Antil and Pardeep Singh too were not available for selection because of injuries.

“These players will continue to undergo rehabilitation at the Sports Authority of India, Bengaluru,” Hockey India said in a statement.

The team will have the experience of PR Sreejesh under the bar. Krishan B Pathak has been named the second custodian.

"It is unfortunate that we will be missing some key players due to injury," said HI's High-Performance Director David John.

"It is a relatively young side but these players have tremendous potential and have a good amount of international exposure. It is important to see how they fair in Malaysia as it will show the depth we possess in the core group ahead of the Olympic qualification events this year," added John, who is currently in charge of the team in the absence of a full-time chief coach.

The team will leave for Ipoh, Malaysia from Bengaluru on March 18.

Team:

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,