Hockey India declare indain hokey team for Sultan Azlan Shah tournament: Rajpal Singh, who is nursing an abdominal strain, has been left out. Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh and reliable defender Sardara Singh, who did not report for the national camp and is playing in the Belgium League, are also missing from the squad. The defence comprises Dhananjay Mahadik, Diwakar Ram and Rupinder Pal Singh.

"There are some concern in the defence but we have picked the best available unit. The selectors have done a fair job. Diwakar has done well in domestic tournaments. Rupinder did well on the European tour and last Azlan Shah Cup. Dhananjay is also good in direct and indirect conversions. Nobody has any fitness issues or hiding any injury. Rajpal has a lower abdominal injury and he needs rest", said national coach Harendra Singh.

Harendra said the tournament will be a build-up to Champions Trophy and the 2012 Olympic qualifiers -- both of which will be hosted in India. Asked about V.S. Vinay being dropped, Harendra said: "We have to groom youngsters."

Selector Balbir Singh said the core group has been retained,"Some of the good players are injured. We aim to give these players exposure and the ultimate aim is to qualify for the Olympics."

Captain Halappa exuded confidence in the team,"We had a new and young team in the last Azlan Shah but we won the tournament. We are confident this team will perform well."

The squad:
Goalkeepers: Bharat Kumar Chetri; Adrian D'Souza.
Defenders: Dhananjay Mahadik, Rupinder Pal Singh, Diwakar Ram.
Midfielders: Gurbaj Singh, Vikas Pillay, Vikram Pillay, Arjun Halappa (capt), Ravi Pal, Danish Mujtaba, Vikas Sharma.
Forwards: Shivendra Singh, S.V. Sunil, Mandeep Antil, Sarvanjeet Singh, Gurwinder Singh Chandi, Roshan Minz. Standbys: P.R. Sreejesh, William Xalxo, Gurjinder Singh, Birendra Lakra, Preetinder Singh, Bikash Toppo.