The Indian men’s hockey team for the European leg of the FIH Pro League has been announced by Hockey India. The team, led by Captain Harmanpreet Singh, is set to play eight matches against Argentina, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain.
Hockey India’s squad for FIH Pro League
The 24-member squad includes experienced players and promising talents. The goalkeeping responsibilities will be shared by PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak. The defensive line-up includes Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Sanjay, Jugraj Singh, and Vishnukant Singh.
The midfield will be marshalled by dynamic players such as Vivek Sagar Prasad, Nilakanta Sharma, Manpreet Singh, Shamsher Singh, Hardik Singh, Rajkumar Pal, and Mohammed Raheel Mouseen. The forward line boasts of Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Gurjant Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, and Boby Singh Dhami.
The first leg of the tournament will be held in Antwerp, Belgium from May 22-30, while the second will be organized in London from June 1-12. This tournament will serve as India’s dress rehearsal for the Olympics beginning July 26.
India is currently placed third in the Pro League standings, with 15 points from eight matches. The team is returning after a 0-5 loss to Australia in an away Test series. Despite this setback, the team is optimistic about the upcoming matches.
Squad Announcement Alert! 📢
Get ready to witness the firepower of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team as they take on the challenges of the FIH Pro League 2023-24 Belgium and England Legs! 🏑
Mark your calendars for their electrifying matches from May 22nd to May 26th in Belgium and… pic.twitter.com/nhsq7RuCIw
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) May 9, 2024
India’s head coach, Craig Fulton, stated that the team has been training hard at the camp and has developed an understanding of each other’s gameplay. He believes that playing against top-quality teams will help them build on their game and get better.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh echoed these sentiments, stating that the squad selection has been made to ensure players get exposure and see how they fare in international events ahead of the Paris Olympics. He is looking forward to the matches and hopes that the results will be in their favour.
The team’s performance in this tournament will be crucial in shaping their preparation for the upcoming Olympics. With a blend of experience and youth, the team is poised to make a strong impact in the tournament.
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