Hockey India announced a 22-member squad for the upcoming bilateral series against reigning World Champions Germany, set to take place at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. The matches, scheduled for the 23rd and 24th of October, will mark the return of international hockey in the national capital after a successful Asian Champions Trophy campaign.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh will lead the Indian team in the series, with Vivek Sagar Prasad serving as the vice-captain. Unfortunately, dynamic midfielder Hardik Singh will miss out due to injury recovery from the Paris Olympic Games.
India fresh after victory in Asian Champions Trophy
India enters this series with high confidence, having defended their title at the Asian Champions Trophy in Hulunbuir, China. The team made history by becoming the only Asian side to win the prestigious tournament five times since its inception in 2011. This strong performance sets the tone for their clash with Germany.
Experienced Indian lineup
The Indian squad features a mix of seasoned players and fresh talent. Goalkeepers Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera will guard the post, while defenders like Amit Rohidas, Varun Kumar, and Sanjay will form a strong backline. Notable midfielders include Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, and Vivek Sagar Prasad, with Mandeep Singh returning to the forward line alongside Sukhjeet Singh and Abhishek. The series brings excitement with international debuts for Rajinder Singh and Aditya Arjun Lagate.
Chief coach’s excitement
Chief Coach Craig Fulton expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are excited to take on Germany in New Delhi. The rivalry between the two teams has been strong, and we have picked an experienced squad, including players from the Bronze medal-winning Paris Olympics squad. We also look forward to Rajinder and Aditya’s international debuts, as they have shown great promise during training.” The team is set to arrive in New Delhi from Bengaluru this afternoon to prepare for the highly anticipated series.
Indian Men’s Hockey squad for two-match series against Germany
Goalkeepers: Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Suraj Karkera
Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh (C), Varun Kumar, Sanjay, Sumit, Nilam Sanjeep Xess
Midfielders: Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad (VC), Vishnu Kant Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Shamsher Singh, Mohd. Raheel Mouseen, Rajinder Singh
Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Dilpreet Singh, Shilananda Lakra
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