Manpreet to lead India Jrs in Sultan of Johar Cup

Manpreet Singh will lead an 18-member Indian junior men's hockey team in the second Sultan of Johar Cup, in Malaysia, from November 11 to 18.

Kothajit Singh is vice-captain of the side.

India's opening match is against Australia on November 11, followed by matches against Germany, Pakistan, New Zealand and hosts Malaysia.

Trials to select the team were conducted at SAI Centre, Netaji Subhash Institute of Sports in Patiala, from November 25 to 27 in the presence of Hockey India selectors Col Balbir Singh, B P Govinda and Thoiba Singh as well as government observer Harbinder Singh and coach Baljeet Singh Saini.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Keshav Dutt and Sushant Tirkey.

Defenders: Amit Rohidas, Sukhmanjit Singh and Gagandeep Singh.

Midfielders: Manpreet Singh (capt), Jarmanpreet Singh, Kothajit Singh (vice-capt), Surender Kumar and Harjit Singh.

Forwards: P L Thimmanna, Satbir Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Prabhdeep Singh, Talwinder Singh, Amon Mirash Tirkey, Gurmail Singh and Mandeep Singh.

Standbys: Naveen Kumar (goalkeeper), Sampath Kumar Malyaram (defender), Rockey Lohchab (midfielder), Jatinder Singh (midfielder), Malak Singh (forward), Naveen Antil (forward) and Imran Khan (forward).