Sandeep, Yuvraj miss out

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Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh continued to be sidelined, while striker Yuvraj Walmiki was the surprise ommission as India made several changes to their squad for the Hockey World League Round 2, scheduled here from February 18 to 24.

The tournament is part of the qualification process for the FIH men’s World Cup 2014 in the Hague, the Netherlands.
Malak Singh, Mandeep Singh (both strikers) and Gurjinder Singh (midfielder) — all part of the ongoing Hockey India League — are the new faces in the squad, while half-back Gurmail Singh and forwards S.K. Uthappa and Akashdeep Singh will miss out.
Midfielder Sardar Singh will lead the team, and will have drag-flicker V.R. Raghunath as his deputy.
Sandeep was named among the six standbys, even as senior members failed to earn back their places.
Apart from the hosts (FIH world ranking 11), the other participating teams in the men’s competition are Ireland (15), China (18), Oman (36), Bangladesh (40) and Fiji (71).
Meanwhile, Ritu Rani will lead an 18-member women’s team while Chanchan Devi was named as the vice-captain.
The women, ranked 12th in the world, will face Japan (9), Russia (20), Malaysia (22), Kazakhstan (33) and Fiji (59).

Squads:
Men’s: P.R. Sreejesh, P.T. Rao, V.R. Raghunath, Rupinderpal Singh, Harbir Singh, Birendra Lakra, Manpreet Singh, Kothajit Singh, Sardar Singh (captain), Gurjinder Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Nitin Thimmaiah, Mandeep Singh, Malik Singh, S.V. Sunil, Chinglensana Singh, Dharamvir Singh, Gurvinder Singh Chandi.
Women’s: Yogita Bali, Savita, Deep Grace Ekka, Jaspreet Kaur, Joydeep Kaur, Kirandeep Kaur, Ritu Rani (captain), Chanchan Devi, Namita Toppo, Vandana Katariya, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lily Chanu Mayengbam, Poonam Rani, Soundarya Yendala, Anupa Barla, Rani, Navjot Kaur, Lilima Minz