With a young Indian team managing an impressive fourth-place finish in the Champions Trophy, hockey coach Michael Nobbs has dropped hints that seniors like Sandeep Singh could be on their way out as he is looking to build a side for the 2016 Olympics.
Goalkeeper Bharat Chetri will lead the Indian hockey team at next month's London Olympics, from July 27 to August 12. Sardar Singh will be his deputy in the 16-member squad.
The multi-million dollar World Series Hockey suffered a huge jolt just days before its start, with six top Indian players withdrawing from the league, from December 17. Goalkeepers Bharat Chetri and PR Sreejesh, star drag flicker Sandeep Singh, defender Sardar Singh, and forwards Tushar Khandker and Yuvraj Walmiki have preferred country over the unsanctioned league.
India captain Bharat Chetri doesn't want to point fingers at any individual for the hockey team's disastrous outing at the Olympic Games, instead he is forthcoming in accepting the blame and said the former champions could only play upto "30-35 percent" of their potential in London.
Indian hockey captain Bharat Chetri says the team is not learning from its mistakes and it is becoming a serious problem after three straight defeats in the Olympic Games.
India captain Bharat Chetri promises to play free flowing hockey when the eight-time champions step on to the blue turf at the Riverbank arena, in London, against The Netherlands in their opening match of the London Olympics on July 30.
Former captain Rajpal Singh got the axe as Hockey India named an 18-member squad for the London Olympics qualifier, to be held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, in Delhi, from February 18 to 26. Experienced midfielders Vikram Pillay and Arjun Halappa also failed to find a place in the squad, which will be led by goalkeeper Bharat Chetri.
Goalkeeper Bharat Chetri, who will lead the Indian hockey team at the London Olympics, discusses India's chances with Laxmi Negi.
Goalkeeper Bharat Chetri has been retained captain of the Indian hockey team for the upcoming European tour during which they will play Test matches followed by a three-nation invitational tournament in Spain.
India named an 18-member hockey team with goalkeeper Bharat Chetri as captain to take part in the 21st Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament to be held at Ipoh, Malaysia from May 24 to June 3.
Experienced goalkeeper Bharat Chetri will lead an 18-member Indian team in the men's Four-Nation Olympic Test Event, in London, from May 2 to 6. Star midfielder Sardar Singh will be Chetri's deputy in the squad, which was announced on Tuesday by Hockey India after selection trials at SAI Centre, Bangalore, on April 8 and 9.
India's disastrous hockey campaign in the London Games ended with a humiliating bottom spot finish out of 12 competing nations, and it prompted a dejected skipper Bharat Chetri to say that the former champions were not good enough to play at a big stage like the Olympics.
There is competition between them when it comes to donning the national jersey, but off the field Indian hockey goalkeepers Bharat Chetri and PR Sreejesh take pride in each other's success.
As part of a rotation policy, goalkeeper Bharat Chetri was on Thursday named captain while the controversial duo of Sandeep Singh and Sardara Singh were recalled to the Indian hockey team for next month's tour of Australia. Veteran midfielder Ignace Tirkey will be Chetri's deputy.
Indian hockey has fallen on hard times but captain Bharat Chetri believes it is his destiny to lead the team to the London Olympics and snatch a new generation of players away from cricket's grasp.
India produced an improved show after their opening match loss to New Zealand in a thrilling 1-1 draw with arch-rivals Pakistan, in the Lanco International Super Series Hockey 9s in Perth on Friday.
Rajpal Singh was on Monday named captain of the 16-member hockey squad, announced by Hockey India, for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
The eight-time Olympic winners have been clubbed along with reigning champions Germany, Korea, New Zealand, Belgium and Netherlands in Pool B at 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Sandeep Singh struck twice and custodian Bharat Chetri saved a penalty stroke to steer India to a 3-2 win over hosts Belgium in the second hockey Test in Antwerp.
Jugraj Singh scores a goalden goal to help Chandigarh Dynamos to their first PHL win of the season.
Tushar Khandekar scored a hat-trick as India beat Belgium 4-0 in the Test series in Chennai.
Bangalore Lions' beat Maratha Warriors 3-2 in the Premier Hockey League on Wednesday.
Drag-flicker Len Aiyappa was also included in the 16-man squad for the Afro-Asian Games.
A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Thursday
PR Sreejesh says his dual role as India hockey captain and goalkeeper is to allow his team mates the freedom to express themselves in Rio but knows he must keep them focused on the medal hunt in the "magic world" of the Olympics. The 30-year-old was second choice at London 2012 behind then captain Bharat Chetri but has since established himself as the clear number one. He was named captain for the recent Champions Trophy in London where India rested some seniors, including regular captain Sardar Singh, ahead of the Rio Games.
PR Sreejesh is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the moment, but he feels that the absence of an experienced back up custodian is a major worry.
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