New Delhi: Star players Sardara Singh and Sandeep Singh were handed a lifeline, on Wednesday, when Hockey India (HI) decided to revoke the two-year ban.

The decision was taken after the two players appeared before the disciplinary committee of the federation and tendered unconditional apology for their conduct during the national camp in Bangalore last month.

The ban was slapped on Sardara and Sandeep after they walked out of the camp on the eve of the Asian Champions Trophy without informing the national coach Michael Nobbs.

“Sandeep and Sardara appeared before the committee and expressed their unconditional regret. So keeping in view their age, performance and future potential, the committee decided to revoke the ban,” an HI official said after the meeting.

“But both the players have given in writing that if they are again found guilty of any misconduct in future the two-year ban will come into effect again,” he said.

Now with the ban revoked, both Sandeep and Sardara have been asked by HI to join the ongoing national camp in Bangalore with immediate effect.

The federation, however, made it clear that the duo's selection in the Indian team for the four-nation nine-a-side Super Series tournament in Perth, Australia in October is subject to their fitness and performance in the selection trials scheduled to be held in Bangalore on September 26.

Sandeep Singh said he and Sardara would be joining the camp on Thursday. “We want to forget the past and start with a fresh mind,” said the ace drag flicker. “We committed a mistake and apologised for it. We are happy that the national body has listened to our appeal,” he added.

Nobbs, however, is still apprehensive about the duo’s behaviour and said the senior players would have to prove their worth to get a place in the national team.

“The way they walked out of the camp in August still rankles. Apprehensions remain about their intentions. But in the interests of the Indian team, which needs to marshal every bit of its resources ahead of the qualifiers, I welcome them back to the camp,” Nobbs said.

“However, this does not give them any headstart. They will continue to work harder than the others, prove their fitness and commitment to the team and the game whenever called upon to do so. No doubt, past records state they are fine hockey players. But to me and to the team, they need to prove their credentials yet again if they are to find a place in the Indian national team,” the coach added.

Nobbs, however, “still rankles” at the way Sandeep and Sardara abruptly left the national camp, but said the duo’s return will give him more options in the team’s preparation for next year’s Olympic qualifiers.