PR Sreejesh rested, Sardar Singh to lead experimental squad at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
Talismanic midfielder Sardar Singh will lead an experimental 18-member India hockey team, which will be as many as seven players including senior goalkeeper and vice-captain PR Sreejesh, in the 25th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to be held in Ipoh, Malaysia next month.
The move to leave out seven players from the Hockey World League Final squad was taken keeping in mind the Olympics as Hockey India selectors wanted to give phase-wise rest to all the senior players, who are expected to form the core of the Rio-bound team.
Apart from Sreejesh, the most notable omission from the Azlan Shah-bound squad are striker Akashdeep Singh, midfielder Dharamvir Singh, drag-flicker VR Raghunath and ace defender Birendra Lakra. Devinder Walmiki and Lalit Upadahyay were the other two players who were not picked.
Sreejesh’s place in the team was taken by young Akash Anil Chikte while SK Uthappa and strikers Mandeep Singh and Nikkin Thimmaiah also made their comebacks.
Besides, Surender Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Harjeet Singh were the other new entrants to the side.
Live-wire forward SV Sunil has been appointed Sardar’s deputy for the Azlan Shah Cup to be held from April 6 to 16.
When contacted Hockey India selection committee chairman BP Govinda clarified that the changes were made to manage fatigue and give players rest ahead of Rio Olympics.
“All these players have been playing continuously for the past one year. Sreejesh is our main goalkeeper and he and others have been playing constant hockey, including the tiring Hockey India League. So we need to give them rest to avoid burnout,” Govinda told PTI.
“Olympics is our main aim and we need a 100 per cent fit and fresh team for the Games. In the run up to the Olympics we will continue to give players rest and manage them. At same time we didn’t want to send a second string side, all these players are part of the core probables. In the next tournament Sardar and few other players will be given rest,” he said.
Besides India, New Zealand, 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Australia, Pakistan, Japan, Canada and hosts Malaysia will be taking part in the annual tournament.
In Sreejesh’s absence, Harjot Singh will be the senior goalkeeper and the tournament will give him much-needed exposure.
“By resting a few regular players, it also gives us a chance to test reserve strength. We also wanted to give exposure to the other members of the core probables,” Govinda said.
With the Rio Olympics just a few months away, the Azlan Shah Cup will serve as a barometer to measure the team’s preparation for the most important sporting event of the year.
