Akashdeep, Rupinderpal return for Asian Games

CHENNAI : Akashdeep Singh was handed a recall by Hockey India on Monday. Akashdeep, who was dropped for the Champions Trophy, found a place in the 18-man squad for the upcoming Asian Games thanks to Ramandeep Singh’s injury at the Champions Trophy. The only change was defender Rupinderpal Singh’s inclusion at the expense of Jarmanpreet Singh. Rupinderpal was rested for the Champions Trophy. 
The defending champions have had a mixed year so far but their confidence will be up after reaching the final of the Champions Trophy earlier this month.

India, ranked sixth in the world, are comfortably the best in Asia and anything other than a gold will qualify as a disappointment. And there is also one obvious incentive to go for gold. “(...) the matches against New Zealand will be played by the 18 members who are selected for the Asian Games. I believe this will be good for the team in their preparation for the Asian Games where we will certainly go for gold to qualify for the 2020 Olympics,” coach Harendra Singh said. 

He was also effusive in what comeback man Akashdeep brought to the team. “(...) We will be missing out on Ramandeep’s experience as he is ruled out due to a recent knee injury. But it is good to have Akashdeep back in the mix. Both Rupinder and Akashdeep have remained in the camp when the team was away in Breda and have had good match practice against Bangladesh.”  

Squad: Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh (c), Krishan B Pathak. Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Biren Lakra, Surender Kumar, Rupinder Singh, Amit Rohidas. Midfielders: Manpreet Singh, Chinglensana Kangujam (vc), Simranjeet Singh, Sardar Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad. Forwards: SV Sunil, Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Dilpreet Singh.