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Dilip Tirkey to lead Indian team

By Our Sports Reporter

BANGALORE Aug. 8. The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) selection committee comprising Aslam Sher Khan, Jalalluddin and Iqbaljit Singh alongwith president K.P.S. Gill and secretary Jyothikumaran sprung no surprises in the selection of the Indian hockey team for the coming four- nation tourney at Amsterdam (Netherlands) and the Champions Trophy to be held at Cologne (Germany). The team has the crux of the junior World Cup team with a good sprinkling of senior internationals. Dilip Tirkey of Indian Airlines will lead the team for both the four-nation and the Champions Trophy.

While the return of ace Dhanraj Pillay, who was not part of the Indian campaign in the four-nation tournament at Adelaide and Melbourne, after the World Cup debacle and fracas thereafter is welcome, Sandeep Michael's inclusion for the four-nation event indeed comes as a surprise. "The youngster (Sandeep Michael) impressed in the local tournaments — MCC (Chennai) and the Itigi Memorial (Bangalore) and hence we decided to try him out in an international event,'' said president Gill about Sandeep's inclusion. Sandeep, the 19th player in the list will however not figure in the team to Cologne for the Champions Trophy.

Dhillon, Thirumalavalavan dropped

Notable names missing from the squad are those of Baljit Singh Dhillon, who captained the team for the World Cup and Thirumalavalavan. "While Thiru has been ruled out due to lack of fitness, Baljit was not called for the camp after an ankle injury sidelined him,'' said Mr. Gill.

More or less the same team will be retained for the Busan Asian Games too, wherin India is the reigning champion.

Asked about the lack of experience in the midfield more so for the Champions Trophy, in which India will be figuring for the first time since '96, Mr. Gill said that "the thrust on the youngsters was due to the fact that they have come up nicely with Vikram Pillay even considered for the World Cup squad''.

Former Olympian Aslam Sher Khan will accompany the team as manager.

The team: Goalkeepers: Devesh Chauhan (IOCL), Bharat Chetri (Karn). Deep defenders: Dilip Tirkey (IA-Capt), Jugraj Singh, Kanwalpreet Singh (both Punjab), Dinesh Nayak (TN). Midfielders: SS Gill (BPCL), Viren Rasquinha (IOCL), Vikram Pillay (mumbai), Ignace Tirkey (Serv), Bimal Lakra (IA). Forwards: Dhanraj Pillay (IA), Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh (both IOCL), Daljit SIngh Dhillon, Gagan Ajit Singh and Tejbir Singh (all Punjab), Arjun Halappa and Sandeep Michael (both Karnataka).

Officials: Rajinder Singh (Chief coach), N.S. Sodhi (Asst. coach), Sampath Kumar (physio), Dr. Rajkumar (Doctor) and Aslam Sher Khan (Manager).

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