NEW DELHI, 21 May 2003 — Veteran striker Dhanraj Pillay was yesterday picked to lead an experienced Indian hockey team in two tournaments against arch rivals Pakistan and hosts Australia later this month and in June.
The 34-year old, hoping to take part in his fourth Olympics at Athens next year, begins a second term as captain after last leading India to the gold medal at the Bangkok Asian Games in 1998.
Two other seasoned strikers, Baljit Saini and Mukesh Kumar, make a comeback in the 20-man squad after being ignored for the Pusan Asian Games last year where India secured a silver medal behind champions South Korea.
India will take on Pakistan and two Australian teams in separate tournaments in Perth from May 28-June 1 and in Sydney from June 4-8.
The two events are a buildup for the elite six-nation Champions Trophy in Amsterdam in August which also includes the Netherlands, Germany and Argentina.
In Australia, India will clash with Pakistan for the fourth time in less than a year.
They won a match each at the last Champions Trophy in Germany in July before India defeated Pakistan in the semi-final of the Asian Games.
India’s 20-man squad:
Dhanraj Pillay (capt), Devesh Chauhan, Kamaldeep Singh, Dilip Tirkey, Kanwaljeet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Ignace Tirkey, Bimal Lakra, Vikram Pillay, Viren Rasquinha, Prabodh Tirkey, Baljit Saini, Baljit Dhillon, Gagan Ajit Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Tejbir Singh, Tushar Khandkar, Mukesh Kumar, Arjun Halappa, Sandeep Michael.
Coach: Rajinder Singh.
