Bhubaneswar: Experienced defender Birendra Lakra from Odisha is to lead the Indian Men’s Hockey Team at the Hero Men’s Asia Cup to be held from 23 May 2022 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Birendra will replace Rupinder Pal Singh as Captain of the 20-member squad. Rupinder has been ruled out of the tournament as he sustained an injury on his wrist during a training session.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated Birendra on being selected to lead the Indian Men’s Hockey Team.
Congratulate #Odisha player Birendra Lakra on being selected to lead the Indian Men's Hockey Team at the Hero Men's Asia Cup in Indonesia. Wish the team all the very best. #OdishaForSports https://t.co/enSC6Wsu8c
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) May 14, 2022
While forward SV Sunil will step in as the Vice-Captain, Rupinder will be replaced by defender Nilam Sanjeep Xess, also from Odisha, for the tournament. Two other Odia players in the team are Dipsan Tirkey and Abhisek Lakra.
The Indian Men’s Team now includes the following players:
Goalkeepers
Pankaj Kumar Rajak
Suraj Karkera
Defenders
Yashdeep Siwach
Abhisek Lakra
Birendra Lakra (Captain)
Manjeet
Dipsan Tirkey
Midfielders
Vishnukant Singh
Raj Kumar Pal
Mareeswaren Sakthivel
Sheshe Gowda BM
Simranjeet Singh
Forwards
Pawan Rajbhar
Abharan Sudev
SV Sunil (Vice Captain)
Uttam Singh
S. Karthi
Nilam Sanjeep Xess
