Sardar named India’s captain for Azlan Shah Cup

New Delhi: Veteran Sardar Singh was on Tuesday named captain of the Indian men’s hockey team for the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, a tournament where three players will make their debut for the country.

Sardar, who is standing at the twilight of his career, has been in and out of the team lately and was ignored from India’s last two international assignments. Sardar last played for India at the Asia Cup but was dropped from the Indian squads for the Hockey World League Final last December and then for the tour to New Zealand. The tournament will also witness three rookie players in Mandeep Mor, Sumit Kumar (Jr) and Shilanand Lakra, who are set to make their debut.