Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Nov 15: A 23-member men’s hockey team will go to Australia in the near future under the direction of seasoned dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh, Hockey India announced on Tuesday. As part of their World Cup preparation, India will play five matches against Australia beginning November 26 in Adelaide. The FIH showcase will be place in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela from January 13 to January 29. Amit Rohidas has been chosen as the vice-captain for the forthcoming games while Harmanpreet will skipper the squad.
“The upcoming tour to Australia is a good opportunity for us to test ourselves against one of the top contenders at the upcoming FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar-Rourkela 2023,” Indian hockey chief coach Graham Reid said in a release.
The midfield for the trip consists of Gurjant Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Mohd. Raheel Mouseen, Rajkumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Shamsher Singh, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, and Sumit.
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Varun Kumar, who missed the FIH Pro League games against Spain and New Zealand in Bhubaneswar, rejoins the defence. The remaining backline is made up of Jarmanpreet Singh, Surender Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Mandeep Mor, and Nilam Sanjeep Xess.
In the most recent FIH Pro League, Harmanpreet led the Indian side to two victories over New Zealand while drawing 1-1 with Spain in the two-leg match.
Indian Squad:
Goalkeepers: Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran.
Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Surender Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh (C), Amit Rohidas (V/C), Jugraj Singh, Mandeep Mor, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Varun Kumar Midfielders: Sumit, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Shamsher Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Rajkumar Pal, Mohd. Raheel Mouseen, Akashdeep Singh, Gurjant Singh Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh.
