CHANDIGARH, FEB 12: Old war horse Dhanraj Pillay will lead the Indian hockey team for the twin hockey Test series against arch foes Pakistan, with the first leg beginning on February 28 in Pakistan.The thrust however, will be on youth with as many as nine members of the side that finished runner-up in the Junior World Cup, clinching places in the 18 member squad, announced by KPS Gill, president, Indian Hockey Federation here today, after the probables underwent a week's camp at the National Institute of Sports, Patiala.The only notable omission from the team is that of ace forward Sanjeev Kumar, who could have provided the much needed experience to the side. However, Mukesh Kumar, AV Subbiah, Sabu Varkey and Ramandeep Gill - alongwith Dhanraj Pillay himself - will be there to match their experience with the bubbly enthusiasm of youth.Mohammad Riaz and Gavin Ferreira were dropped from the squad on the medical grounds. ``Riaz might be available for the Indian leg (starting March 19) while Gavin isstill recovering from surgery.As the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the World Cup are also slated later this season, we did not want to take any chances,'' said former Indian captain M Sommaiya who will be the hockey manager of the team.The Junior World Cup heroes, Baljit Saini and Rajiv Mishra will be the star prospects in the side with their individual performances expected to play an important role in the team's fortunes. With Rajesh Chauhan, Pillay, Mukesh, Sameer Dad and Sabu Varkey in the forward line, coach V Baskaran will be looking for more goals.Goal keepers: Jagdish Ponappa and A V Subbiah. Full backs: Dileep Tirkey, Lazarus Barla and Dinesh Naik. Half backs: Sukhbir Singh Gill, Thirumal Valavan, Ramandeep Singh Gill, Anwar Khan and Baljit Singh Saini. Forwards: Mukesh Kumar, Dhanraj Pillay (captain), Rajiv Mishra, Harbhajan Singh, Rajesh Chauhan, Samir Dad, Brojen Singh and Sabu Varkey. Chief coach: Vasudev Baskaran. Assistant coaches: CR Kumar and M Ramesh Parameswaran. Team doctor:Dr Cruz. Physio: G Gunasekaran. Hockey manager: MM Sommaiya.
