Harmanpreet Singh will lead the Indian men’s hockey team against reigning world champions Germany and world number 4 Australia in the upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League matches. | Photo credit: PTI
Drag flicker Harmanpreet Singh will lead the 20-member Indian men’s hockey team against reigning world champions Germany and world No. 4 Australia in the upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League matches in Rourkela.
Harmanpreet will be assisted by midfielder Hardik Singh.
The squad includes veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and youngster Pawan, who replaces Krishan Bahadur Pathak, who has sought leave for his wedding.
The defense will be led by Harmanpreet, Jograj Singh, Neelam Sanjeep X, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Manjeet and Manpreet Singh.
The midfielders include Hardik, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Moeringtham Rabichander Singh, Vishnukant Singh, Dalpreet Singh, Shamsher Singh and Rajkumar Paul.
Youngsters S Karti, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek and Gurjant will form the core of the strike force.
Australia’s David John and BJ Kripa have been named as interim coaches for the upcoming matches along with Shivinder Singh.
The players, who have not been selected, have been released from the national coaching camp to play in the third Hockey India Senior Men Inter-Department National Championship 2023 starting in Bengaluru on Sunday.
The national selectors have picked a young team that is making good progress at the international level. They will be well guided by the presence of senior players with extensive international experience playing for India.
“At the FIH Hockey Pro League in Rourkela, the team will play under interim coaches until Hockey India announces a new chief coach,” Hockey India president Dilip Turki said in a statement.
India’s first match will be against Germany on March 10, followed by Germany against Australia on March 11.
India and Australia will face each other on March 12, while India will play against Germany for the second time on March 13.
On March 14, the spotlight will be on Germany and Australia, and on March 15 the final in Rourkela, with India playing Australia in the second leg.
