Sultan Azlan Shah International Tournament is all set to unfold from today. Total seven countries will take part in this prestigious tournament. There will five countries from Asia only. India, Korea, Pakistan, China and Malaysia constitute the Asian challenge in the competition. Australia and Egypt are the two other teams. This tournament is going to be a testing ground for the seven participating teams.

Even the World champions Aussies will face the heat from other nations. This will provide best preparation for the Commonwealth Games to be held in October this year in New Delhi.

Although Korea, China and Egypt won't take part in the Commonwealth Games, but they will want to show their presence in the contest by playing some good hockey.

So far as the Indian team is concern there will be no Dilip Tirkey any more in the squad as he has retired from the international hockey. Apart from him, Sandeep Singh is also not in the team. He was the top scorer in this tournament last year. Without Sandeep and Tirkey how the Indian team is responding, will be worth watching.