Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Birendra Lakra has been promoted to the role of India captaincy in the upcoming Asia Cup Hockey Championship after Rupinder Pal Singh sustained an injury during a practice match and was ruled out of the meet.
Ace drag-flicker Rupinder Pal was named captain of the 20-strong squad and Birendra was to be his deputy for the Asia Cup, to be held in Jakarta from May 23 to June 1.
Another Odisha defender Nilam Sanjeep Xess will fill the vacuum created by Rupinder Pal.
Dipsan Tirkey and Abhishek Lakra complete Odisha’s representation in the Asia Cup contingent.
