Following a disappointing home run in Rourkela, where the Indian men’s hockey team failed to notch up a single win in four outings against Belgium and Argentina, the team will look to quickly regroup as it prepares for stiffer challengers in Spain and Australia, during the upcoming Hobart leg of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025–26. Hockey India on Tuesday named the 24-member squad that will travel DownUnder.
In the home leg, India endured a forgettable run against Belgium and Argentina that dented their early campaign momentum. The four losses at the start of their FIH Pro League 2025-26 season place India eighth in the standings, ahead of bottom-placed Pakistan.
Despite flashes of promise and the introduction of fresh faces, the results did not go in India’s favour, prompting a reset ahead of the matches in Australia.
The Hobart phase, to be played from February 20 to 25 at the Tasmania Hockey Centre, will see India take on Spain and hosts Australia. With the Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup and the Asian Games later this year, the upcoming fixtures carry added significance as the team fine-tunes combinations and evaluates depth.
Hardik Singh, a two-time Olympic bronze medallist (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), will lead the side in the absence of Harmanpreet Singh, who is unavailable due to personal reasons.
The goalkeeping duties will be shared by Suraj Karkera and Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar. The defensive unit includes experienced campaigners Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, and Sumit, along with emerging talents Amandeep Lakra, Yashdeep Siwach, and Poovanna Chandura Boby.
In midfield, captain Hardik Singh will be joined by Sanjay, Vivek Sagar Prasad, and Raj Kumar Pal, with support from Rajinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, and Vishnu Kant Singh.
The forward line features established names such as Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, and Shilanand Lakra. Maninder Singh returns to the squad after previous appearances in the Hero Asia Cup 2022 and earlier Pro League seasons, while Angad Bir Singh is set for his first overseas tour after debuting last year. Young attackers Araijeet Singh Hundal and Aditya Arjun Lalage complete the lineup.
Head coach Craig Fulton reflected on the Rourkela setbacks while expressing optimism ahead of the Hobart fixtures.
“After four disappointing matches in Rourkela, where the results didn’t go our way, we’ve learned some good lessons and made some notable improvements. We capped three players in the process, and it was quite exciting to see that side of the squad develop. Going into the Hobart leg, we’re aiming for improved performances and looking to finalise our squad for the World Cup and the Asian Games,” Fulton said.
India will open their Hobart leg against Spain at the Tasmania Hockey Centre on Saturday.
India squad:
Goalkeepers: Suraj Karkera, Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar
Defenders: Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, Amandeep Lakra, Yashdeep Siwach, Poovanna Chandura Boby
Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Hardik Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Vishnu Kant Singh, Raj Kumar Pal
Forwards: Abhishek, Shilanand Lakra, Mandeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Angad Bir Singh, Maninder Singh