Rupinder, Uthappa among 4 players ignored for Hockey World League semi-final

New Delhi: India, on Tuesday, dropped four key players, including ace drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh and midfielder SK Uthappa, from their 18-member men's squad for the Hockey World League (HWL) semi-final to be played in Antwerp, Belgium from June 20 to July 5.

Besides Rupinder and Uthappa, strikers Mandeep Singh and Satbir Singh were the other two players to face the axe.

All the four dropped players featured in last month's Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia, where India finished a creditable third, and the four-match bilateral Test series against Japan which India won 3-0.

Defenders Jasjit Singh Kular and Gurmail Singh, midfielder Lalit Upadhyay and striker Yuvraj Walmiki were recalled in the side for the 10-nation tournament.

In the Test series against Japan, India fielded an experimental squad of 24 where Gurmail, Jasjit, Lalit and Yuvraj also featured.

Ace midfielder Sardar Singh, who has to his credit 216 international caps, has been retained as the captain of the side, while goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will continue to be Sardar's deputy.

Harjot Singh is the second goalkeeper in the team, while defence will be manned by Birendra Lakra, Manpreet Singh, Kothajit Singh, VR Raghunath, Jasjit and Gurmail.

The five-man midfield will be manned by Sardar in the company of Gurbaj, Dharamvir, Chinglensana and Lalit while the forwardline comprises of SV Sunil, Nikkim Thimmaiah, Yuvraj, Akashdeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh.

The HWL semi-final featuring 10 teams is divided into two pools - Pool A and Pool B. India are placed in Pool A alongside France, Poland, Pakistan and Australia whereas China, Ireland, Malaysia, Great Britain and Belgium are in Pool B.

India will open their campaign against France on June 20.

Speaking about the handpicked team, India's chief coach Paul van Ass said: "The team is full of confidence which they proved in the recent Japan series where they gave Japan a tough time and beat them 3-0.

"The boys are working upon their strategies and are confident of putting put up a good show in the tournament. Our pool is tough but the boys are confident of putting up a great show. The team is excited to face Australia."

The Team:

GOALKEEPERS: PR Sreejesh, Harjot Singh

DEFENDERS: Manpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra, Kothajit Singh, VR Raghunath, Jasjit Singh Kular, Gurmail Singh

MIDFIELDERS: Gurbaj Singh, Dharamvir Singh, Sardar Singh, Chinglensana Singh, Lalit Upadhyay

FORWARDS: SV Sunil, Nikkin Thimmaiah, Yuvraj Walmiki, Akashdeep Singh, Ramandeep Singh.