Hockey: Rajpal Singh to lead India

The controversy surrounding Sandeep Singh's fitness has finally been put to rest. The drag flicker has now been ruled out with a back problem from the Champions Challenge hockey tournament, thus confirming the fears of coach Jose Brasa, whose announcement about Sandeep's fitness raised a storm.

Hockey India (HI) president Ashok Kumar Mattoo told IANS that Rajpal Singh would lead the side, but could not say whose decision it was to name the new captain. "I cannot comment whether it is the selectors' decision. I can only say that we arrived at the decision after consultation," said Mattoo.