In hockey, young players don’t become international stars overnight. Before they can compete for India at the senior level, they usually go through the junior team first, where they learn to handle the speed, pressure, and physicality of top-level hockey.
One of the best ways to prepare these young players is by sending them on an ‘exposure tour,’ where a team travels abroad to play matches against strong opponents, purely for experience rather than a trophy.
Recently, Hockey India has announced a 22-player squad for exactly this kind of tour to Belgium, where the Indian men’s Team will play six matches.
India’s Hockey Match Schedule
India will face Austria, Belgium (the host nation), Germany, and the Netherlands.
Here is the full schedule:
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| July 7 | India vs Austria |
| July 8 | India vs Austria |
| July 10 | India vs Belgium |
| July 13 | India vs Germany |
| July 14 | India vs Belgium |
| July 17 | India vs Netherlands |
That’s six matches in under two weeks.
Who is leading the team?
Defender Anmol Ekka has been given the responsibility of captaining the side. He is one of four players in this squad who already have big-match experience. He, along with Adrohit Ekka, Ajeet Yadav, and Rohit Kullu, was part of the Indian team that won the bronze medal at the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup held in Tamil Nadu in 2025.
Having already tasted an international podium finish, these four are expected to guide the newer members of the squad through the pressure of playing in unfamiliar conditions.
India’s Junior Men’s Hockey Squad
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Vivek Lakra |
| Goalkeepers | Kunal Tewatia |
| Defenders | Anmol Ekka (captain) |
| Defenders | Rohit Kullu |
| Defenders | Chirag |
| Defenders | Ravinder |
| Defenders | Prasant Barla |
| Defenders | Sanjit Tirkey |
| Defenders | V. Manimaran |
| Midfielders | Adrohit Ekka |
| Midfielders | Harpal |
| Midfielders | Jeetpal |
| Midfielders | Mukesh Toppo |
| Midfielders | Mannu Malik |
| Midfielders | Ritik Lakra |
| Forwards | Ajeet Yadav |
| Forwards | Prabhdeep Singh |
| Forwards | Arjun Hargude |
| Forwards | Aryan Xess |
| Forwards | Lovenoor Singh |
| Forwards | Mohd. Konain Dad |
| Forwards | Gurusewak Singh |
What does the coach hope to get out of this tour?
Speaking about the squad, coach Soyez explained that the tour isn’t only about winning matches. He said he wants the team to grow in three specific ways, including, sharper teamwork and tactics on the field, stronger unity and confidence as a group off the field, and a clearer understanding of exactly what it takes to compete consistently at the top level of world hockey.
Also Read: Hockey India Unveils India’s Squad For U18 Asia Cup 2026
