NEW DELHI, Sept 4: Mercurial forward Dhanraj Pillay is among five Indian players who will sit out upcoming India-Pakistan hockey Test series beginning Sept 24 at Karachi.
Others are Baljeet Singh Dhillon, Deepak Thakur, Gagan Ajit Singh and William Xalxo. All five were part of Indian squad that finished seventh at recent Athens Olympic Games.
"All team members were asked to give in writing whether they would be available for Test series and Dhanraj and Baljeet said they are unavailable," said a source in Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).
"While Dharanj and Baljeet have cited 'personal reasons' for their non-availability, Gagan has a hamstring problem and Xalxo is out for six weeks with a fractured (left) thumb," the source added.
Thakur, who was taken to a hospital at Athens after he was hit on the chest during a match, has still not recovered and is not being considered for selection.
The remaining 11 members of Athens team will join ongoing preparatory camp at Chandigarh. Trials will be held October 7 and 8 for 23 probables at camp and Athens returnees. However, one probables at camp -Kanwalpreet Singh - is already out with a shin injury.-PPI
