TIL Desk Sports/ Hockey India named senior goalkeeper PR Sreejesh as the captain of the national team for the Rio Olympics, replacing 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 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.
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. The women’s team will miss the services of Ritu Rani who had left the preparatory camp. Sushila Chanu will captain the team while Deepika was named the vice-captain.
Men’s squad: Harmanpreet Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Kothajit Singh, Surender Kumar, Manpreet , Sardar Singh, VR Raghunath, SK Uthappa, PR Sreejesh, Danish Mujtaba, Devender Walmiki, SV Sunil, Akashdeep Singh, Chinglensana Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Nikkin Thimmaiah.
Standby: Pardeep Mor, Vikas Dahiya
Women’s squad: Savita (GK), Navjot Kaur (midfielder), Deep Grace Ekka (defender), Monika (midfielder), Anuradha Devi (forward), Poonam Rani (forward), Vandana Kataria (forward), Deepika (defender), Namita Toppo (defender), Renuka Yadav (midfielder), Sunita Lakra (defender), Sushila Chanu (defender), Rani Rampal (forward), Preeti Dubey (forward), Lilima Minz (midfielder), Nikki Pradhan (forward).
Standby: Rajani Etimarpu & H. Lalruat Feli
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