Hockey: Sreejesh to lead Team India at Asian Champions Trophy

06 October, New Delhi

Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will lead the 18-member Indian men’s hockey squad in the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Malaysia from October 20 to 30, Hockey India announced Thursday.

On the other hand, midfielder Manpreet Singh will be the vice-captain of the team in this tournament. Experienced VR Raghunath, who has been rested for the tournament, has been replaced by Jasjit Singh Kular.

Also Birendra Lakra has made a comeback in the national team after a knee injury. Lakra had missed the Rio Olympics due to injury.

Chief coach Roelant Oltmans said, “The Asian Champions Trophy is an important tournament for us and going by the world rankings, India will go in as favourites to win the title. The team has been upbeat since their return to the camp after the Olympic Games and are eager to start the season on a winning note.”

On the other hand, skipper Sreejesh said his team will not consider any side lightly.
“We may be the top ranked team in Asia right now but no team can be taken lightly. The defending champions (Pakistan) are known to spring a surprise and Korea too will be a team to watch out for as they have been playing good quality hockey lately,” said he.

India squad: Squad:Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh (captain), Akash ChikteDefenders: Rupinder Pal Singh, Pardeep Mor, Jasjit Singh Kular, Birendra Lakra, Kothajit Singh, Surender KumarMidfielders: Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, Manpreet Singh (vice-captain), Sardar Singh, SK Uthappa, Devindar WalmikiForwards: Talwinder Singh, SV Sunil, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Nikkin Thimmaiah, Affan Yousuf.