In one of the most significant decisions
in recent times, Hockey India named senior goalkeeper PR Sreejesh
as the captain of the national team for the Rio Olympics, removing
long-time skipper Sardar Singh.
Sreejesh, one of the finest custodians in world hockey at the
moment, was rewarded after the team, under his leadership, ended
up with a silver medal at the blue riband six-nation Champions Trophy
hockey tournament in London.
Sreejesh had a good tournament both as a player and captain
as India had their best performance in the 38-year-history of the
tournament. The team played a brilliant final where they held eventual
champions Australia to a goalless draw in the regulation time before
losing in a controversial shoot-out.
Playmaker SV Sunil, who is also a key component in the team,
has been named vice-captain.
Things fell in place for Sreejesh at the right time and went
awry for Sardar, who has been going through a torrid time both on
and off the field.
His performance has dipped on the field as he is no longer as
sharp a midfielder as he used to be. Off it, allegations of rape
after pormising marriage levelled by a British national has also
dented his reputation.
Sardar has been the captain of the national team for a number
of years having led the team in London 2012.
While Sardar was rested for the Champions Trophy where India
produced their best-ever show, the team did have a slump when it
played the next tournament in Valencia, where they could win only
one match against minnows Ireland, losing two games and managing
to draw a couple.
Squad: PR Sreejesh (goalkeeper and Capt), Harmanpreet Singh,
Rupinderpal singh, Kothajit Singh, Surender Kumar, Manpreet Singh,
Sardar Singh, VR Raghunath, SK Uthappa, Danish Mujtaba, Devinder
Walmiki, SV Sunil, Akashdeep Singh, Chinglensana Singh, Ramandeep
singh, Nikkin Thimmaiah.
Stand Byes: Pradeep Mor, Vikas Dahiya (Reserve Goalkeeper).
