“Are you saying that we should pick players on reputation instead of fitness or form? The selection committee includes six people with a total experience of eight Olympics and a lot of experience. I think we know who deserves a spot,” the India coach said addressing the media.

Ask the selectors

When asked specifically about Halappa and Singh being sidelined, Nobbs said that the selection committee had made a “collective decision”.

“The selectors have unanimously decided to pick this team on the basis of current form and fitness... those who can win the game for us. My job is to show no favour to reputation. We have picked the best players, in-form players who can fit into the system and structure of the team,” he said.

The selectors had made it clear that when it came to fitness they had gone by the coach’s recommendation.

Nobbs was quick to add that he had no fitness issues regarding Halappa.

The India coach, however, rubbished Singh’s claim that there was supposed to be a fitness test before the team for the Olympic qualifiers was to be announced. “I don’t agree (with Rajpal Singh). Fitness and form in the South Africa series were considered for selection,” the India coach said.

The future of another senior player Gurbaj Singh isn’t clear. Gurbaj, suffering from a knee injury, was left out of the squad though Nobbs had said that his fitness would be re-assessed before the team was announced.

Gurbaj is likely to arrive in Delhi on Wednesday.

“He remains an important part of the team’s plan and once he is fully fit, he will be back in the camp,” Nobbs said.

Nobbs also refrained from commenting on whether players’ involvement with the World Series Hockey was a reason for their exclusion. He said that it was ‘outside his area of concern’. He also sidestepped questions on whether it was a big risk going into an important event like the qualifiers without enough experience in the ranks.

“We need to support the young players and take some tough decisions. I don’t like to drop players, it hurts. I myself was dropped as a player but then change is difficult and this is change. The youngsters are good enough,” he said.

Captain Bharat Chhetri, meanwhile, said he was not part of the selection process. “If you say those who are out were good, does it mean those are in are not good? Once the team is decided, a captain’s job is to lead the players who are there and manage them. I am not part of the selection process so I can’t comment on that,” he said.

Women’s team announced

Meanwhile, Hockey India on Tuesday announced the 18-member women’s squad for the qualifiers. Led by midfielder Asunta Lakra, the team features most of the players who played in the four-Test series against Azerbaijan early this month.

Joydeep Kaur, recovering from an injury sustained during the Australia tour last year, has been retained and will be joined by Jaspreet Kaur and Subhadra Pradhan in the defence line. India play Canada, Italy, Poland, South Africa and Ukraine for a shot at qualifying for London.

Squad: (Goalkeepers): Yogita Bali, Savita; defenders: Jaspreet Kaur, Joydeep Kaur, Subhadra Pradhan; (midfielders): P Sushila Chanu, Asunta Lakra, Kirandeep Kaur, Deepika, Ritu Rani, Mukta Prava Barla; (forwards): Poonam Rani, Vandana Kataria, Rani, Soundarya Yendala, Anuradha Devi, Rosaline Dung Dung, Jasjeet Kaur Handa.