Young India out to make right noises

New Delhi: Five-time winners India will be keen to improve on their runners-up performance last year as they begin their 26th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup campaign against Great Britain in Ipoh, Malaysia, on Saturday.

India were beaten by nine-time champions Australia last year. They are the second highest-ranked team in this six-nation event where world no. 2 Australia will launch the defence of their title against Oceania rivals New Zealand. In the day’s other match, the hosts take on Japan.

The tournament marked the senior debut of defender Harmanpreet Singh last season, who played a key role.

Harmanpreet has gone from strength-to-strength since, accompanying seasoned defenders Rupinderpal Singh and V.R. Raghunath to the Champions Trophy in London and then to the Rio Olympics within four months. Midfielder Harjeet Singh, who captained India’s Junior World Cup champion side, and striker Mandeep Singh have earned their senior caps in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in the past.

India will be hoping Harmanpreet will provide inspiration to the three uncapped players — defender Gurinder Singh and midfielders Sumit and Manpreet Singh Jr — in the squad.

Said skipper Sreejesh P.R., “The team are doing well. We have trained every single day after arriving here and I feel we have had a good five-six days to acclimatise.

“It’s a new team with a lot of youngsters. I think only about three or four members in their squad are seniors. But knowing the mental strength of the team, I know they will play with a lot of energy.

“The first match is always a game turner and we definitely want to start on a great note and the mood in our dressing room is upbeat,” said the 28-year-old.

India are no. 6 spot in the world rankings and are viewing the tournament as a preparatory event for the World League Semi-finals in London in June.