Hockey India has unveiled a formidable 26-man squad for the upcoming Four-Nation Tour in Cape Town, South Africa, commencing on January 22. Led by Harmanpreet Singh, the team includes vice-captain Hardik Singh, the FIH Player of the Year. Emerging talents Araijeet Singh Hundal and Boby Singh Dhami have earned their spots after impressive performances with the junior side.
The squad features a robust goalkeeping unit comprising PR Sreejesh, Krishan Pathak, and Pawan. The defensive lineup includes Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Sumit, Sanjay, and Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem.
In the midfield, the team boasts seasoned players such as Vivek Sagar Prasad, Nilakanta Sharma, Rajkumar Pal, Shamsher Singh, Vishnukant Singh, Hardik Singh, and Manpreet Singh. The forward line is comprised of Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Akashdeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, and Boby Singh Dhami.
Chief Coach Craig Fulton expressed excitement about the upcoming South Africa Tour, marking the commencement of the Olympic year. The squad, chosen strategically, aims to provide exposure to players while allowing Fulton to assess their performance ahead of the FIH Hockey Pro League.
“We have chosen a big squad in order to give players exposure, and it will also give me an opportunity to see some of the players in competition mode ahead of the FIH Hockey Pro League,” stated Fulton. The team will undergo a short camp in SAI, Bengaluru, before embarking on the tour.
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Fulton also highlighted the inclusion of two young players in the senior side, emphasizing the interest in observing their adaptation to the competitive level of play. The Four-Nation Tour, featuring France, Netherlands, India, and hosts South Africa, promises high-quality matchups as the Indian team prepares for the challenging season ahead.
-IANS
