Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh to make debut, Gurjant Singh returns in Indian hockey team for Argentina tie

Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh is expected to make his senior debut after being included in the 22-member Indian men's hockey squad for the double-leg FIH Pro League tie against Argentina even as striker Gurjant Singh has also returned to the set-up from a brief injury lay-off. The match against the world number six side will be played on March 19 and 20 at at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Rabichandra, who was part of the Indian junior men's squad at the FIH Junior World Cup, will be the lone new face in the squad announced by Hockey India on Wednesday.

In a few changes in the main squad, goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak has replaced Suraj Karkera while Amit Rohidas and Jugraj Singh have replaced Mandeep Mor and Dipsan Tirkey in the backline. Jaskaran Singh and Akshdeep Singh made way for Sumit and Rabichandra in the midfield. The forward line will witness the return of Gurjant and Dilpreet Singh. Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Abhishek are also there. The team, to be led by Olympic medal-winning captain Manpreet Singh, also has experienced custodian PR Sreejesh and vice-captain and star dragflciker Harmanpreet Singh. Besides, the selectors also named 10 stand-by players in Suraj Karkera, Mandeep Mor, Dipsan Tirkey, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Sanjay, Jaskaran Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Ashis Kumar Topno as well as Gursahibjit Singh and Mohd Raheel. Commenting on the team, India's chief coach Graham Reid said, "These games will provide great exposure for young, new players coming up the ranks, while as a team we are also getting to work out different combinations ahead of the Asian Games." "Rabichandra is an exciting young midfielder who showed a solid glimpse into