Sardar Singh to lead hockey side in six-nation hockey tournament in Valencia, Spain

New Delhi: Defender Birendra Lakra, who had undergone knee surgery three months ago for a ruptured ligament, on Monday returned to the national squad for the six-nation men’s hockey tournament in Valencia, Spain, beginning June 27.

The event is India’s final assignment before the Rio Olympics, and will act as a testing ground for coach Roelant Oltmans and the selectors to finalise the 16 for the Games.

Midfielder Sardar Singh joins the team after being rested for the Champions Trophy, and will resume captaincy duties. P.R. Sreejesh, who led the team in London, was named his deputy.

Defender Rupinderpal Singh and striker Ramandeep Singh too were named in the side.

The Team
Goalkeepers: P.R. Sreejesh (vice-capt.) Vikas Dahiya.
Defenders: Rupinderpal Singh, V.R. Raghunath, Kothajit Singh, Surender Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra.

Midfielders: Danish Mujtaba, Chinglensana Singh, Manpreet Singh, Sardar Singh (captain), S.K. Uthappa, Devindar Walmiki, Harjeet Singh

Forwards: Talwinder Singh, S.V. Sunil, Akash-deep Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Nikkin Thimmaiah