There's a baby boom in tinsel town!
The ace leg spinner said Pillay's exclusion from the Olympics probables' list should be sorted out for the benefit of the game and sports in general.
The penalty-corner ace, who was seriously injured in a road accident last September, says he is totally fit and looking to prove himself on the ground.
The ace striker has recovered from a knee injury and is likely to be named in the squad for next month's Olympic qualifier.
Sandeep Singh 's brace from penalty-corners gave Airlines a 2-0 victory over Punjab and Sing Bank in the final
The surprise decision comes despite the Indian team finishing a creditable second in the four-nation tournament in Dusseldorf\n\non Sunday.
The hockey veteran of four Olympics said the team should work on fitness as only four months are left for the elite six-nation tournament, in Chennai.
The mercurial forward and Baljit Singh Dhillon are among nine players named for a pre-Olympic camp in Cologne from May 27 to June 21.
The IOA president said Pillay's experience could improve the medal chances of the eight-time Olympic hockey champions.
Six Olympians have written to the President seeking to draw his attention to the autocratic way in which the IHF was being run
'My target is not just to qualify for the Olympics but also do well at Athens and end up in a good position,' says Indian hockey Chief Coach Rajinder Singh.
Mercurial striker and four-time Olympian Dhanraj Pillay would retire after the Athens Games.
Indian Airlines beat Bharat Petroleum while Indian Oil beat Air India in the Super League stage of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh hockey tournament.
Sunil Gavaskar, P T Usha, Geet Sethi, Dhanraj Pillay and Irfan Pathan have joined hands to spread the message of 'Sports for Development and Peace'.
The two veterans are sure to figure among the 26 Olympic probables, to be announced by the Indian Hockey Federation in Delhi on Monday.
The IHF chief described the controversy surrounding Dhanraj Pillay's exclusion as "uncalled for."
The ace defender has been appointed skipper for the upcoming three-Test series against Holland in Hyderabad.
India tasted its fourth defeat in five matches, losing to Korea 3-2 in the Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament.
Defender Dilip Tirkey will lead the team for the four-Test series, starting on September 24.
Five goalkeepers, four full backs, 10 mid-fielders and 11 forwards figure in the 30-man list.
India beat Ireland 6-2 to win the third and last Test in Cologne, Germany.
India's hockey coach said the team will try to sort out "certain weaknesses" during the Afro-Asian Games.
Pakistan take on Nigeria in another match in the Afro Asian Games hockey tournament.
Drag-flicker Len Aiyappa was also included in the 16-man squad for the Afro-Asian Games.
The former India goalkeeper turned in a fine display in the tie-breaker as Airlines beat Central Railway in the quarter-finals of the DCM Shriram tournament.
The India hockey captain said it will provide younger players an opportunity to showcase their skills at the highest level.
They beat Bangalore Hi-Fliers in their last match of the Premier Hockey League to finish with 13 points.
Skipper Dhanraj Pillay said the team will try to rectify the mistakes it committed during the Champions Trophy hockey tournament.
Sports Minister Vikram Verma said there was no discussion on selection matters.
"I can't understand why I was not picked," the 30-year-old full-back said.\n\n
Dr Vece Paes briefed them on how to remain fit and fresh for the entire duration of the game.
The IHF president said he made the "mistake" of including the likes of Dhanraj Pillay in the team for the Olympics.
Dashing forward Dhanraj Pillay trained with the junior India team in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Several senior players including Dhanraj Pillay and Baljit Singh Dhillon were not included in the 18-member squad.
The Indian hockey captain said it will only benefit the game in the country.
India scored twice in each half for a 4-1 win in the Hamburg Masters hockey tournament.
