A simple press release from Hockey India (HI) to announce a 33-member core probable squad for the FIH Men’s Pro League confirmed the speculation that former India captain Manpreet Singh’s days with the team could be over.The announcement fuelled further speculations that it was done at the behest of HI president Dilip Tirkey to stop Manpreet from breaking his record for most international appearances by an Indian. Manpreet is one match shy of Tirkey’s 412 international caps.However, it is understood that Manpreet, Dilpreet Singh and Krishan Pathak have all been dropped for disciplinary reasons. What raises eyebrows is the fact that all three played in the Hockey India League final recently. Krishan and Dilpreet won the HIL with the Kalinga Lancers, while Manpreet was on the losing side playing for the Ranchi Royals.However, all three have been put in the dock for a disciplinary breach during India’s tour of South Africa in December. India played two Test matches and a friendly game between December 7 and 10.After allegedly consuming cannabis-infused gummies, Sukhjit Singh became nauseous and missed a team meeting. The matter was brought to India coach Craig Fulton’s attention and it was revealed that Sukhjit was allegedly supplied the gummies by Manpreet, Dilpreet and Pathak. Interestingly, Fulton, despite talking to the team about the incident, never sent a written report of the matter to HI.However, several members of the team, including the coaching staff, were perturbed that a serious matter was being underplayed. At least two members of the touring party have confirmed this incident to The Tribune. A source told The Tribune that Sukhjit had lost all his bearings the night before the meeting and needed to be attended to throughout the night and the next morning.Further, HI officials, including Tirkey and secretary general Bhola Nath Singh, are aware of the matter. Despite repeated attempts, Tirkey could not be reached for comments.Fulton, however, in a statement released on Thursday called the decision to drop them as a means to manage their workloads. “Post the Hero Hockey India League, we felt this was the right time to rotate the squad. We have rested a few senior players to manage workload, while rewarding performances from players who have earned their opportunity. The Pro League legs in Rourkela and Hobart are an important part of the selection process as we move towards finalising the World Cup and Asian Games squad,” he said.The players will now head to Rourkela, Odisha, for the camp, which will be held from February 1 to 7. The Pro League matches will be held at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela from February 10 to 15. The home leg will be followed by matches in Hobart, Australia, from February 21 to 25, while the European leg will be held in June.