Sardar to lead India in Hockey World League

Sardar Singh will lead India's 18-man squad Hockey India in the Hero Hockey World League Round 2 to be played at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here February18 to 24.

Hockey India selector Syed Ali, chief coach Michael Nobbs and exercise physiologist Jason Konrath along with government observer Harbinder Singh selected the team and six standbys on the basis of their performance in the ongoing Hockey India League.

VR Raghunath has been named the vice-captain of the team.

The preparatory camp for the event will start here from February 11.

Hosts India (FIH World Ranking 11) will play against Ireland (15), China (18), Oman (36), Bangladesh (40) and Fiji (71) in the round-robin tournament.

India will open their campaign against Fiji February 18 followed by matches against Oman (February 20), Ireland (February 21), China (February 23) and Bangladesh (February 24). All India matches will be played under lights.

The tournament is part of the qualification league for the Hockey World Cup 2014 to be held in The Hague, Netherlands.

The squad:
Goal Keepers: PR Sreejesh, PT Rao

Fullbacks: VR Raghunath, Rupinderpal Singh, Harbir Singh

Half backs: Birendra Lakra, Manpreet Singh, Kothajit Singh Khadangbam, Sardar Singh (Captain), Gurjinder Singh
Forwards: Danish Mujtaba,Nithin Thimmaiah, Mandeep Singh, Malik Singh, SV Sunil, Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, Dharamvir Singh, Gurvinder Singh Chandi

Reserves: Sushant Tirkey (Goalkeeper), Sandeep Singh (Fullback), MB Aiyappa (Halfback), Gurmail Singh (Halfback), Akashdeep Singh (Forward), Imran Khan (Forward)