Ace drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh will lead the Indian males’s hockey crew on the upcoming FIH Pro League matches in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, that are key to the aspect’s preparation for this 12 months’s Paris Olympics.
Harmanpreet could have midfielder Hardik Singh as his deputy, as Hockey India on Thursday named a 24-member squad for the double-leg fixtures.
The Bhubaneswar-leg will start on February 10 and finish on February 16 whereas the Rourkela leg will start on February 19 and conclude on February 25.
India will play in opposition to Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Australia twice every throughout each legs.
The hosts will start their marketing campaign in opposition to Spain on February 10.
The squad was on the anticipated traces with striker Boby Dhami and goalkeeper Pawan lacking out from the 26-member Indian crew that toured South Africa final month.
The Indian aim put up will probably be manned by veteran PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak.
The defensive position contains Harmanpreet, Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Sumit, Sanjay, Jugraj Singh, and Vishnukant Singh.
The midfield will probably be marshalled by Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Shamsher Singh, Rajkumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma and Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem.
The ahead line has loads of expertise together with youthful exuberance in Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, Akashdeep Singh, and Araijeet Singh Hundal, who just lately made his debut for the senior aspect throughout the South Africa tour.
“We’ve carefully selected a well-balanced squad, blending seasoned expertise with the vigour of youth. Our goal is to forge a cohesive unit capable of competing at the highest level,” India’s chief coach Craig Fulton mentioned.
“The FIH Pro League serves as an ideal platform to refine our strategies and measure our skills against top-tier opponents. The league’s significance is paramount, with champions earning a coveted spot in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026.
“Additionally, it offers a valuable opportunity to pinpoint areas for enhancement, playing a pivotal role in our preparations for the Paris Olympics. We hold the belief that this exposure will elevate our performance and equip us to confront the impending challenges with confidence,” added Fulton.
The Indian Team Members:
Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak.
Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Jugraj Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh (C), Varun Kumar, Sanjay, Vishnukant Singh.
Midfielders: Hardik Singh (VC), Vivek Sagar Prasad, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Shamsher Singh, Rajkumar Pal, Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem.
Forwards: Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, Akashdeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated news company feed – PTI)
Source: www.news18.com
