It is all in the family for the Walmikis

The most famous siblings in the Indian hockey team have been Dhyan Chand and Roop Singh. Later, Gurbax and Balbir Singh too have represented India at the Olympics. The last case of brothers wearing India colours were Baljit and Daljit Dhillon in 2002.

The squad, led by Sardar Singh, was picked from the 33 probables that were part of the month-long camp in New Delhi. The final 18-man squad for the World Cup is likely to be announced soon after the team returns from Holland.

After spending close to two years in the oblivion, Yuvraj, the elder of the two, has made a strong start to the year after making a comeback to the national team for World League final in January. He was also one of the better performers in the Hockey India League, scoring crucial goals in Delhi Waveriders’ title triumph.

Devinder, on the other hand, has made the cut despite being ignored for the junior World Cup. Seen as one of the best young players in the country, Devinder was impressive in the Hockey India League, where he played for Walsh-coached Kalinga Lancers.

Devinder’s Kalinga teammate Lalit Upadhyay, another bright young prospect who was ignored for junior World Cup, also finds his name in the team. Surprisingly, highly-rated youngster Affan Yousuf continues to be ignored. Walsh, in particular, was highly impressed by the youngster.

The Australian, however, had said in an interview earlier that Yousuf would have to fight for the spot during the camp. “The question with Affan is whether he has potential to go to another level. He’s been given a shot at the camp. Now he has to prove he is one of the best at that level to stay there,” Walsh had said.

Sandeep singh ignored

Other notable absentees from the squad include an injured Mandeep Singh and drag-flicker Sandeep Singh, who is seen as a defensive liability. Gurbaj Singh, meanwhile, made his long-awaited comeback to the national team. Described by Walsh as an ‘outstanding player’, the right-half was dropped from the squad after the London Olympics and was involved in several run-ins with former coach Michael Nobbs.

Known for his immaculate sense of ball distribution, energy and aggression, Gurbaj stood out in the HIL for Delhi Waveriders as well as on the domestic circuit and it was only a matter of time before he was recalled to the national team. Also making a comeback are forwards Ramandeep Singh and Akashdeep Singh, who sat out of the World League Final, along with Danish Mujtaba.

The team is scheduled to leave for Holland on April 9 and are scheduled to play warm-up matches against Dutch clubs Leiden (April 11) and HGC (April 14). These will be followed by a friendly against Belgium on April 15 and two matches against Holland on April 17 and 19.

Squad: Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh, Harjot Singh; Defenders: Birendra Lakra, Rupinder Pal Singh (Vice-Captain), V R Raghunath, Kothajit Singh, Gurjinder Singh, Gurbaj Singh; Midfielders: Sardar Singh (Captain), S K Uthappa, Dharamvir Singh, Manpreet Singh, Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, Danish Mujtaba, Devindar Walmiki; Forwards: S V Sunil, Nikkin Thimmaiah, Akashdeep Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Yuvraj Walmiki, Lalit Upadhyay.