Varkey, with 75 international matches behind him, replaces Olympian Dhanraj Pillay as skipper. The dazzling inside-right, who performed splendidly at the National Games, National Championship and the Federation Cup last season, will have Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) team-mate and mid-fielder Sandeep Somesh as his deputy.

The Bombay Hockey Association (BHA) today named a 16-player squad to the event which will serve as selection for the Commonwealth Games to be held in Kuala Lumpur in September. The team leaves for Chennai on July 13.

Satinderpal Singh Walia, along with Mukul Pandey, were named coaches with Kuldip Singh Sandhu as manager.

Walia is better known as an umpire and coach of women's teams at various levels and has had several stints with the national squad.

A former goalkeeper for Western Railway, Walia believes he has a sound squad at hisdisposal. He revealed placing emphasis on mid-field strength, exploiting the choices at his disposal. Olympians Pillay and Gavin Fereira (both Mahindras) boost the squad along with fellow internationals Sandeep Somesh and Ravi Nayakar (BPCL) a line-up that will give Walia a chance to move things around in the mid-field.

Walia said: ``We intend giving maximum attention to the mid-field where we fail even at international level. Utrecht was a bitter example. We plan to play with four forwards. Grouped along with Services, Punjab Sind Bank (PSB) and Gujarat, we are hopeful of qualifying for the knock-out round.''

The versatile Enrico Fernandes (Tatas) will be an important factor in Bombay's mid-field aspirations with Varkey bringing his skills to the fore in his expected role as centre-half. Gavin Fereira is likely to play withdrawn on the left with nameskae Claes who, like the India player, has had a spell with FC Lyon in the French League, manning duties as left-winger.

But Gavin Fereira, down with coldand fever, could be a doubtful starter. The player with 118 international caps, however, hopes to be fit in time for the tournament that commences on July 16 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium.

Jude Menezes (Bharat Petroleum), who assisted India at the recent World Cup at Utrecht, is likely to start in goal. Arun Gurung will be Menezes' deputy, getting a break after shining for Central Railway.

That only two full-time defenders Cheops D'Costa (Mumbai Port Trust) and Saurab Bishnoi (BPCL) feature in the squad does not perturb Walia.

Mid-fielders MK Prakash and Ravi Nayakar can double up with defensive duties.

THE SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Jude Menezes (BPCL), Arun Gurung (Central Rly); Defenders: Cheops D'Costa (Mumbai Port Trust); Half-backs: MK Prakash, Sandeep Somesh (vice-captain), Ravi Nayakar (all BPCL), Shayne D'Costa (Mumbai Port Trust), Enrico Fernandes, Amjad Khan (both Tatas); Forwards: Dhanraj Pillay, Gavin Ferreira (both Mahindras), Sabu Varkey (BPCL, captain), Mahesh Bagade (RCF),Claes Ferreira (Tata), Edwin Moti (Central Railway Mumbai Division); Coaches: SS Walia (Western Rly); Mukul Pandey (Mumbai Customs). Manager: Kuldip Singh (Mumbai Customs). Standbyes: Brian D'Souza (Tatas), Carlyle D'Mello (RCF), Sameer Jada (RCF), Conroy Remidius (RCF), Abhijit Sirsat (MPT), Leonard Pereira (Mumbai Customs).