Sandeep Singh to lead Asia Cup hockey team

Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh will lead an 18-member squad as India sets out to defend its crown in the eighth Asia Cup hockey tournament in Kuantan, Malaysia, from May 9 to 16.

After a selection trial in Bhopal, the Indian Olympic Association-appointed ad-hoc selection committee made four changes to the squad that won the Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia this month, bringing in V Raghunath, Vikram Pillay, Rajpal Singh and Hari Prasad in place of Ignace Tirkey, Sarwanjit Singh, Bharat Chhikara and Shivendra Singh, who have been named stand-bys.

Eight-time Olympic champions India previously won the Asia Cup at Kuala Lumpur in 2003 and Chennai in 2007.

Former India captain Dhanraj Pillay was retained as manager of the team.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Baljit Singh, Adrian D'Souza (goalkeepers)

Full-backs: Sandeep Singh (captain), Dilip Tirkey, V Raghunath

Midfielders: Gurbaj Singh, Sardar Singh, Ajitesh Roy, Vikram Pillay, Prabodh Tirkey, VS Vinaya

Forwards: Tushar Khandker, Rajpal Singh, Prabhjot Singh, SV Sunil, Arjun Halappa, Hari Prasad, Gurvinder Singh Chandi

Standbys: PR Sreejesh, Sarwanjit Singh, Bharat Chhikara, Shivendra Singh. Officials: Harendra Singh (Coach in-charge); Ramandeep Singh, Romeo James (Ass coaches; Dhanraj Pillay (manager).