Hockey India has named a 20-member squad for the FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands, with Harmanpreet Singh set to lead India’s bid to end a 50-year wait for the title.
File Photo: IANS
Hockey India has named a 20-member squad for the FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands, with Harmanpreet Singh set to lead India’s bid to end a 50-year wait for the title.
The World Cup will be held from August 15 to 30, with India placed in Pool D alongside England, Pakistan and Wales. All of India’s group-stage matches will be played in Amstelveen, Netherlands.
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Experienced midfielder Manpreet Singh, India’s most-capped men’s international, will provide leadership in a squad that combines seasoned players with a number of promising youngsters.
The goalkeeping duties will be shared by Mohith HS and Suraj Karkera. The defensive unit features Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit and Yashdeep Siwach.
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In midfield, Manpreet will be joined by Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Nilakanta Sharma, Rajinder Singh and Aditya Arjun Lalage. The forward line comprises Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh and Shilanand Lakra.
Head coach Craig Fulton said the squad has the right balance to challenge for the title and believes the players have earned their places through consistent performances.
“This is a well-balanced squad, the right mix of tournament experience and in-form youth who’ve earned their spot through performance, not reputation,” Fulton said.
India will open their campaign against Wales on August 15 before facing England on August 17. The group stage concludes with the much-anticipated clash against Pakistan on August 19.
Fulton said the team remains focused on taking the tournament one game at a time.
“Press, counter, perform’ isn’t just our tactical identity; it’s how this group trains and thinks together every single day. We are not getting ahead of ourselves; one game at a time, all in, is the mentality we’re taking into every match,” he added.
India have a rich history in the Hockey World Cup, winning bronze in 1971, silver in 1973 and lifting their only title in 1975. However, they have not reached the podium since that triumph five decades ago.
Fulton believes this squad has an opportunity to end that long wait.
“Fifty years since 1975 (World Cup win), this group has a chance to write its own chapter in Indian hockey history, and we are really excited about it,” he concluded.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mohith HS, Suraj Karkera
Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh (c), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, Yashdeep Siwach
Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad
Forwards: Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Abhishek
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