Harmanpreet Singh was on Wednesday named captain and Hardik Singh his deputy as Hockey India introduced a 16-member squad for subsequent month’s Paris Olympics, that includes 5 Games debutants and a handful of seniors from the earlier version.
India, who gained a bronze medal within the Tokyo Olympics 2020, are positioned in Pool B alongside defending champions Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and Ireland.
Teams ending within the high 4 within the pool’s factors desk will advance to the quarter-finals.
The Indian gamers are at the moment busy getting ready for the Olympics of their nationwide camp on the SAI Centre in Bengaluru.
The venerable goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and midfielder Manpreet Singh are set for his or her fourth Olympic look whereas skipper Harmanpreet is bracing up for his third Games.
The 5 gamers who will make their Olympics debut for India in Paris are Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Raj Kumar Pal, Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh.
Since their historic present in Tokyo, the place the group gained an Olympic medal after a spot of 41 years, Indian defenders Rupinderpal Singh and Birendra Lakra have retired whereas Surender Kumar has been out of favour.
Nilkanta Sharma, who was a part of the principle squad in Tokyo has been stored among the many various gamers however Dilpreet Singh missed out.
Goalkeeper Krishan Pathak will proceed to be an alternate participant in second successive Olympics.
The defence consists of Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet, Amit Rohidas, Sumit and Sanjay, whereas the midfield can have Pal, Shamsher Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, and Vivek Sagar Prasad.
Abhishek, Sukhjeet, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh and Gurjant Singh will likely be amongst India’s forwards.
Defender Jugraj Singh is India’s third various participant aside from Pathak and Nilkanta.
Head coach Craig Fulton was quoted as saying, “The selection process for the Paris Olympics’ squad was incredibly competitive due to the depth of talent within our ranks, however, I am confident that every player chosen will bring their best to Paris.”
“Each player selected has demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and resilience throughout our rigorous preparation phase.”
Fulton continued, “Our focus has been on building a cohesive team that can adapt to different playing styles and situations, and I believe we have achieved that.”
“As we head to Paris, our goal is clear – to play with heart, skill, and determination. We are prepared to face the world’s best teams and strive for the highest podium. This squad is ready to seize the opportunity and bring glory to India,” he added.
India will start their marketing campaign towards New Zealand on July 27 adopted by a conflict towards Argentina on July 29. India will then tackle Ireland on July 30, Belgium on August 1 and face Australia on August 2.
India have a complete of 12 Olympic medals, together with eight gold, one silver and three bronze.
Pool A contains the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, South Africa, and host nation France.
India’s squad:
Goalkeeper: Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran
Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Sanjay
Midfielders: Rajkumar Pal, Shamsher Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad
Forwards: Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh
Alternate athletes: Nilakanta Sharma, Jugraj Singh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated news company feed – PTI)
Source: www.news18.com
