India brace for Sultan Azlan Shah challenge without star goalie PR Sreejesh

Star Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh

The first international tournament of the year has its own significance and it will be no different for the Indian senior men’s hockey team as they gird their loins for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, which will be held at Ipoh from April 6-16.

The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup will add extra interest because this is an Olympic year, and preparations for every team are in full swing – as they are with India.

Sultan Azlan Shah Cup has been a happy hunting event for India as they have enjoyed considerable success in it. India have won the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup five times – in 1985, 1991, 1995, 2009 and 2010, finished runners-up once and bagged the bronze medal 6 times – in all they have attained a podium finish 12 times.

India bagged a bronze medal at the 2015 edition, edging out Korea 4-1 in a shootout after both teams were locked 2-2 in normal time. New Zealand had won that event, pipping trans-Tasman rivals Australia in the final.

New Zealand will go into the 2016 edition as defending champions after qualifying for the Rio Olympics and along with 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, Australia, India and Pakistan will be the main title contenders. Hosts Malaysia, Japan and Canada are other teams in the fray.

The 18-member national team are sans their key players as part of a process to try out as many players as possible ahead of the Rio Olympics. Seasoned goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has been rested, and his place taken by rookie Akash Chikte.

SV Sunil becomes vice-captain for the first time and will have to lead from the front as talented Akashdeep Singh is not in the side. Sunil will work with Nikkin, Ramandeep, Talwinder and Mandeep upfront. Also absent from the team is Vokkaliga Raghunath and features young fullbacks, Surender Singh and Harmanpreet Singh. 

The Indian team will be also without Birendra Lakra, who is recovering from an injury, as well as striker Dharmavir Singh. The Roelant Oltmans-coached side still a decent feel about it despite the absence of five key players and will hope to launch their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup campaign with a bang.