The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Pillay, Dhillon out of series against Pakistan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 28, 2004

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Sport - Hockey

Pillay, Dhillon out of series against Pakistan

ATHENS, AUG. 27 Five players from the current squad — including Dhanraj Pillay, Baljit Singh Dhillon and Gagan Ajit Singh — will not be seen in action in the hockey series against Pakistan to be played next month.

Dhanraj and Baljit have opted out while Gagan Ajit Singh, Deepak Thakur and William Xalco are not being considered because of injuries.

Despite asserting that he will not retire, Pillay — realising that he may not be considered for the series — has informed the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) that he would not be available for the series.

In the same manner, Baljit Singh Dhillon has also opted out of the series.

Disclosing this here on Friday, IHF President KPS Gill said the federation had asked all the players to let it know if they were available for the series.

Meanwhile, Gagan Ajit Singh, Deepak Thakur and William Xalco are not in a position to play in the first leg of the series, to be held in Pakistan, because of injuries.

The bilateral series is slated to start late next month with four matches scheduled in Pakistan and Pakistan is scheduled to reach India on a reciprocal tour to play the rest four in the eight-match series.

Gagan has a nagging hamstring injury and may not be fully fit for the first leg of the series while Dr. Vece Paes has advised the federation not to consider Deepak Thakur till he is completely fit.

Xalco has a left thumb injury but these players are likely to be fit by the time the second leg.— UNI

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