Harmanpreet Singh, a veteran drag-flicker, will lead the Indian men’s hockey team in the upcoming FIH Pro League matches in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, which are imperative to the squad’s preparation for this year’s Paris Olympics. Midfielder Hardik Singh will serve as Harmanpreet’s deputy, as Hockey India announced the 24-member squad for the double-leg fixtures on Thursday. The Bhubaneswar leg will begin on February 10 and end on February 16, while the Rourkela leg will start on February 19 and end on February 25. India will play Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, and Ireland twice each in both legs. The hosts will kick off their campaign against Spain on February 10, Sunday.
The roster was as predicted, with striker Boby Dhami and goalkeeper Pawan missing out from the 24-member Indian team that toured South Africa last month. Star goalkeepers PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak will guard the Indian goalpost. The defensive line consists of Harmanpreet, Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Sumit, Sanjay, Jugraj Singh, and Vishnukant Singh.
The midfield will be commanded by Hardik, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Shamsher Singh, Rajkumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, and Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem. Men in Blue’s forward line has plenty of experienced players along with young talents in Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, Akashdeep Singh, and Araijeet Singh Hundal, who recently made his debut for the senior side during the South Africa tour.
We’ve carefully selected a well-balanced squad, blending seasoned expertise with the vigor of youth. Our goal is to forge a cohesive unit capable of competing at the highest level, India’s chief coach Craig Fulton said after the squad announcement. 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, former South African player added.
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, Fulton concluded.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Indian Hockey team clinched an exciting 6-4 triumph over Egypt in a thrilling contest, securing fifth place in the FIH Hockey5s Men’s World Cup. Indian men showcased their prowess and defensive resilience in the fast-paced Hockey5s format.
