Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Hockey India’s decision to omit senior players, including veteran midfielder and former captain Manpreet Singh, from the list of probables for the upcoming FIH Pro League season was triggered by disciplinary issues during the national team’s tour of South Africa in December, sources told news agency PTI.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!According to a PTI report, a serious case of indiscipline came to light during the tour, which led to Manpreet, Dilpreet Singh and goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak being dropped from the probables’ list announced on Thursday. India were in South Africa for a three-match Test series from December 2 to 16, which they lost 2-0, with the third match ending in a draw.“A serious case of indiscipline came to light during the South Africa tour, also involving a fourth player whose name has not been disclosed. The players later apologised for giving their teammate a banned substance, but the decision to exclude them from the upcoming camp was announced during a team meeting,” a team source told PTI.The absence of Manpreet, one of Indian hockey’s most experienced campaigners, has raised eyebrows across the hockey fraternity. The 33-year-old recently co-captained the Ranchi Royals to the Hockey India League final and was widely praised for his performances in the tournament.A member of India’s bronze medal-winning teams at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, Manpreet has failed to make the list of probables for the first time in nearly 15 years. He is also just one international appearance away from becoming the joint-most capped Indian men’s player with 412 matches, a record currently held by Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey.The dropped players were not named in the probables for the national camp scheduled from February 1 to 7, ahead of the India leg of the FIH Pro League.The Pro League season will begin next month in Rourkela, with India set to play hosts to several top teams. India will open their campaign against Argentina on February 11, with the matches scheduled from February 10 to 15.Hockey India has not officially commented on the disciplinary matter, but the omissions underline a firm stance as the team prepares for a crucial international season.
India probables for FIH Pro League
- Goalkeepers: Pawan, Suraj Karkera, Mohith Shashikumar, Princedeep Singh.
- Defenders: Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sumit, Poovanna Chandura Boby, Yashdeep Siwach, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Amandeep Lakra.
- Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Hardik Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Vishnu Kant Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Rosan Kujur.
- Forwards: Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Mandeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Angad Bir Singh, Uttam Singh, Selvam Karthi, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Maninder Singh.
