Rajpal targets WSH to get match fit for internationals

Mumbai: Former captain Rajpal Singh has taken his axing from the Indian team in his stride and is confident he will be recalled to the national squad after the London Olympic Qualifiers in Delhi later this month.

The 27-year-old Chandigarh player is also aiming to use the upcoming World Series Hockey to get the much needed match practise if and when he gets a call-up for national duty. "I have played only one match in 2012 (in the recently held Test series at home against South Africa). I will get to play between 11 and 14 matches in World Series Hockey which will help me when I play international hockey again. I am confident I will be recalled (to the national squad)," said Rajpal. Rajpal, an Arjuna Awardee and a member of the national squad that won the Junior World Cup in Hobart in 2001, was dropped from the 18-strong Indian squad which was picked on "form and fitness", according to chief coach Michael Nobbs, and has been replaced at the helm by goalkeeper Bharat Chetri. The right winger, who led India in the 2010 World Cup in Delhi, the Commmonwealth Games (at Delhi) and the Asian Games (at Guangzhou) held later that year, would play for Delhi Wizards in the February 29-April 2 USD 2 million prize money WSH - a city-based franchise league floated jointly by Nimbus Sport and the Indian Hockey Federation. He underwent an appendix operation on October 31, 2011 and had been advised a rest of six weeks before he played in the Test series against South Africa last month. PTI