India hockey team declared for Asian Champions Trophy

The 18-member team for the coming Asian Champions Trophy has been announced for India. Asian Champions Trophy is to be held in Doha, Qatar from Dec 20-27.

Sardar Singh will be the captain of defending champions India and fullback V.R. Raghunath has been announced as the vice captain.

Earlier, last year India defeated Pakistan 4-2 via penalty shoot-out in a breath taking inaugural match of Asian Champions Trophy China last.

Countries like China, Japan, Malaysia, Oman and Pakistan will also participate in the tournament. India will open their campaign against China on Dec 20 followed by matches against Japan, Oman, Pakistan and Malaysia on Dec 21, 23, 24 and 26 respectively.

Indian team is currently playing the Champions Trophy in Australia.

The squad:
Goalkeepers:

• PR Sreejesh
• PT Rao

Fullbacks:

• VR Raghunath (vice-captain)
• Rupinderpal Singh
• Harbir Singh

Half-backs:

• Sardar Singh (captain)
• Kothajit Singh
• Birendra Lakra
• Manpreet Singh
• Gurmail Singh

Forwards:

• SV Sunil
• Gurvinder Singh Chandi
• Danish Mujtaba
• S.K. Uthappa
• Nithin Thimmaiah
• Yuvraj Walmiki
• Dharamvir Singh
• Akashdeep Singh
  
  -With inputs from IANS