Midfielder Ignace Tirkey has been retained as India's hockey captain for the Commonwealth Games in the absence of regular skipper Dilip Tirkey.
Ignace had led the team against Pakistan in the recent six-nation bilateral series, which India lost 3-1.
"This is the first time that India had won the Pakistan leg, ever since the bilateral series began in 1978. This is also for the first time that India did not lose a single match in Pakistan," IHF sources said.
Dilip, the 29-year-old dependable full back, who got married early this month, has cited a nagging injury problem for pulling out of the 10-nation tournament of the Games, which commences in the Victorian capital from March 16.
India, who will leave for Melbourne on March 5, will face Malaysia in the Commonwealth Games opener, followed by matches against Pakistan, Trinidad and Tobago and South Africa.
The other pool includes Olympic and Commonwealth champions Australia, New Zealand, England, Canada and Ireland.
India finished fourth in their only appearance in the Games hockey tournament at Kuala Lumpur in 1998. They were not included for the 2002 Manchester Games.
{{/usCountry}}India finished fourth in their only appearance in the Games hockey tournament at Kuala Lumpur in 1998. They were not included for the 2002 Manchester Games.
{{/usCountry}}The Indian team will also miss the services of goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza, who is suffering from a hamstring injury while striker Deepak Thakur, along with central midfielder Viren Rasquinha, who were 'rested' for the Pakistan series, have been recalled.