Determined to bounce back after a tough outing in Rourkela, where they lost all four matches against Argentina and Belgium, the Indian men’s hockey team is set for a fresh challenge as it turns its attention to the Hobart leg of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025–26 to be held at the Tasmania Hockey Centre.
The Hobart leg presents an important opportunity for the team to reassess combinations and fine-tune its structure as it builds towards the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup and the Asian Games. The 24-member squad blends experienced internationals with promising young talent keen to establish themselves at the highest level.
India begin their campaign against Spain on Saturday (Feb 21), followed by a clash against Australia on Sunday (Feb 22). They will meet Spain again on Tuesday (Feb 24) before wrapping up the leg with another encounter against the hosts on Wednesday (Feb 25).
Recent head-to-head records suggest closely fought contests ahead. India and Spain have split four wins each in their last 10 meetings, with two draws that India converted into shootout victories. Against Australia, however, the hosts have enjoyed the upper hand, winning six of the last 10 matches, while India have registered two wins alongside two draws.
In the absence of regular captain Harmanpreet Singh, two-time Olympic bronze medallist Hardik Singh will lead the side in Hobart. The squad also features several young faces, including Amandeep Lakra and Manmeet Singh, along with forwards Angad Bir Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal and Aditya Arjun Lalage, who will look to make an impact.
“While we will certainly miss Harmanpreet’s presence on the pitch, his absence provides a valuable opportunity for the rest of the group to step up and take charge. As a team, we have reviewed our recent matches, learned our lessons, and are entering Hobart with a highly positive and aggressive mindset,” Hardik said.
“I am incredibly excited about the new faces joining us for this tour. Youngsters bring very fresh, fearless energy to our attacking lineup. They have worked exceptionally hard to earn their spots, and playing against top-tier teams like Australia and Spain is the perfect platform for them to express themselves. The entire group is motivated to support them, execute our plans, and play the brand of hockey India is known for,” he added.