New Delhi

Hockey India has announced an 18-member squad for the Indian men’s hockey team set to compete in the prestigious Asian Champions Trophy, taking place from September 8 to 17 in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, China. This tournament will feature top hockey teams from Asia, including Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan, and the host nation, China.

India, the defending champions, will be captained by star drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh, with experienced midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad as vice-captain. With the retirement of PR Sreejesh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera will take on the goalkeeping roles. The defense will be bolstered by Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, and Sumit.

In midfield, the team will feature Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Manpreet Singh, and Mohd. Raheel, with the forward line including Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Uttam Singh, and debutant Gurjot Singh.

The squad includes ten players from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games bronze medal team. Notable absentees are Hardik Singh, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Shamsher Singh, and Gurjant Singh, who have been rested for this tournament.

Chief coach Craig Fulton emphasized the importance of this campaign for maintaining and improving ranking points. He highlighted the opportunity for young players to showcase their skills and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to continue their dominance in Asia. India’s campaign starts with a match against China on September 8, followed by games against Japan, Malaysia, Korea, and Pakistan, with the semi-finals and final scheduled for September 16 and 17.

Indian Men’s Hockey Team:

– 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