With the non-availability of injured Dilip Tirkey, the Indian Hockey Federation on Friday appointed mid-fielder Ignace Tirkey as captain of the Indian team for the six-match home-and-away Indo-Pak hockey series, which begins in Chandigarh today evening.

Talking to UNI from Chennai today, IHF secretary K Jyothikumaran announced the appointment of Tirkey as the Indian captain for the entire series.

"Ignace will lead India on the Indian as well as the Pakistani leg of the current series," said the IHF secretary.

Jyothikumaran said Dilip Tirkey had informed him about his inability to join the team due to "hamstring" injury.