Sardar Singh will lead defending champions India in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey to be held in Doha, Qatar Dec 20-27.
Fullback V.R. Raghunath will be the vice-captain of the 18-member team announced Friday.India defeated Pakistan 4-2 via penalty shoot-out in a nerve-wracking final to clinch the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy China last year.
The tournament will also feature China, Japan, Malaysia, Oman and Pakistan. India will open their campaign against China Dec 20 followed by matches against Japan, Oman, Pakistan and Malaysia Dec 21, 23, 24 and 26.
India are currently playing the Champions Trophy in Australia.
The squad: Goalkeepers:1. PR Sreejesh 2. PT Rao
Fullbacks:3. VR Raghunath (vice-captain)4. Rupinderpal Singh5. Harbir Singh
Half-backs:6. Sardar Singh (captain)7. Kothajit Singh 8. Birendra Lakra9. Manpreet Singh 10. Gurmail Singh
Forwards:11. SV Sunil 12. Gurvinder Singh Chandi 13. Danish Mujtaba 14. S.K. Uthappa 15. Nithin Thimmaiah16. Yuvraj Walmiki17. Dharamvir Singh 18. Akashdeep Singh