Hockey India has announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, China, from 8th to 17th September 2024. The Indian team, known for its dominance in the Asian circuit, will be led by ace drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh, with experienced midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad serving as vice-captain.
Challenge of Replacing PR Sreejesh
With the veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh retiring, the responsibility of guarding the Indian goalpost falls on the shoulders of Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera. Both players have big shoes to fill as Sreejesh has been a stalwart in the team for years, especially noted for his heroic performances in critical matches.
Krishan Bahadur Pathak, however, have shown immense potential earlier in Pre-Paris Olympic build-up and is expected to rise to the occasion in this prestigious tournament.
Suraj Karkera will act as the backup goalie for Krishan.
Balanced Indian Hockey Team
The Indian squad boasts a well-balanced mix of experience and youthful energy. Ten members of the team were part of the historic bronze-medal-winning squad at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, reflecting the depth of talent in the team. While experienced players like Harmanpreet Singh and Amit Rohidas anchor the defence, the forward line is bolstered by young talents such as Araijeet Singh Hundal and debutant Gurjot Singh, who are eager to make their mark on the international stage.
In the midfield, seasoned players like Manpreet Singh and Raj Kumar Pal will ensure stability and control, while young players are expected to bring dynamism and agility to the team’s play. The absence of key players like Hardik Singh, Mandeep Singh, and Lalit Upadhyay, who have been rested, opens up opportunities for the younger players to prove themselves.
Chief coach Craig Fulton vision
Chief Coach Craig Fulton emphasised the importance of this tournament in the context of the new Olympic cycle. He highlighted the team’s recent return to training after the celebratory phase following their Olympic success. Fulton expressed confidence in the team’s ability to retain the title, stressing the importance of continuing to dominate the Asian continent.
“This is an important campaign for us to build on our ranking points,” Fulton said. “We’ve rested some of our Olympic players and brought in youngsters who have performed well in training. The Asian Champions Trophy offers a great platform for these players to shine.”
India’s Road at Asian Champions Trophy
India will kick off their campaign against hosts China on 8th September, followed by a match against Japan on the 9th. The team will then face Malaysia and Korea on the 11th and 12th September, respectively.
After a day’s rest, India will clash with their traditional rivals Pakistan on the 14th, a match expected to be one of the highlights of the tournament. The semi-finals and final are scheduled for 16th and 17th September.
Asian Champions Trophy: Full India Hockey Squad
Goalkeepers:
- Krishan Bahadur Pathak
- Suraj Karkera
Defenders:
- Jarmanpreet Singh
- Amit Rohidas
- Harmanpreet Singh (C)
- Jugraj Singh
- Sanjay
- Sumit
Midfielders:
- Raj Kumar Pal
- Nilakanta Sharma
- Vivek Sagar Prasad (VC)
- Manpreet Singh
- Mohd. Raheel Mouseen
Forwards:
- Abhishek
- Sukhjeet Singh
- Araijeet Singh Hundal
- Uttam Singh
- Gurjot Singh
As the Indian team embarks on this campaign, all eyes will be on how well the new and young talents blend with the experienced core to keep India at the top of Asian hockey.
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