Injured Akashdeep, Sumit replaced in Champions Trophy squad

BENGALURU: Forwards Akashdeep Singh and Sumit Kumar have been replaced in the Indian hockey team which left for the Champions Trophy in Breda, Netherlands, late on Monday night. Both the players are nursing injuries. The duo, who were found a place in the squad named earlier, have been replaced by Simranjeet Singh and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay.
Speaking about the last-minute change in the team, chief coach Harendra Singh said, "We have decided to rest Akashdeep who had a minor injury scare during our intense training camp.Though he has recovered, we did not want to risk him ahead of the Asian Games. Sumit Kumar too has missed out an opportunity to play the important tournament due to an injury."
Meanwhile, the team is upbeat and confident of a podium finish at the farewell edition of the tournament which begins on June 23 with India taking on Pakistan. Skipper PR Sreejesh said, "It is the final edition of Champions Trophy and I am sure every team would want to make it memorable. It will be a challenging tournament with back-to-back matches and winning those three points from each game will be the only thing on our minds when we arrive in Breda."
With hosts the Netherlands, Argentina, Pakistan, Belgium and defending champions Australia in the fray, the tournament serves as a litmus test for India ahead of the World Cup Bhubaneswar later in the year.