THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, Feb 1: Hockey India on Thursday announced the 24-member Indian men’s hockey team that will participate in the Bhubaneswar and Rourkela legs of the FIH Pro League 2023-24.
February 10 is the start date for the Bhubaneswar leg and ends on February 16. On the other hand, the Rourkela leg starts on February 19 and ends on February 25.
India’s campaign kicks off on February 10 against Spain. They will play twice each against Australia, the Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland across both legs.
Assuming leadership roles within the team are the experienced pair consisting of captain Harmanpreet Singh, recognized for his proficiency in drag-flicking, and vice-captain Hardik Singh, a skilled midfielder.
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Well balanced team: Chief coach Fulton
Chief coach Craig Fulton, as quoted by Hockey India, expressed, “We’ve carefully selected a well-balanced squad, blending seasoned expertise with the vigour of youth. Our goal is to forge a cohesive unit capable of competing at the highest level.”
“The FIH Pro League serves as an ideal platform to refine our strategies and measure our skills against top-tier opponents. The league’s significance is paramount, with champions earning a coveted spot in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026. Additionally, it offers a valuable opportunity to pinpoint areas for enhancement, playing a pivotal role in our preparations for the Paris Olympics. We hold the belief that this exposure will elevate our performance and equip us to confront the impending challenges with confidence,” he further stated.
The 24-player Indian Men’s Hockey Team
Harmanpreet Singh (C), Hardik Singh (VC), Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Jugraj Singh, Amit Rohidas, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, Akashdeep Singh, Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran, Varun Kumar, Sanjay, Vishnukant Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Rajkumar Pal, Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay.
