Indian Men’s Hockey World Cup Squad: Harmanpreet to lead as India hope to end 47-year wait | Hockey News


NEW DELHI: Defender Harman Preet Singhwho has been leading India since the second half of 2022, will continue to lead the national team at the next FIH World Cup in Odishaas the 18-member squad was announced by Hockey India Friday.
The 16-team tournament begins on January 13 next year with the final scheduled for January 29. It will be organized by two cities of Odisha — Rourkela and Bhubaneswar.
India, ranked No. 6, were placed in Pool D alongside England, Spain and Wales. The hosts will open their campaign against the Spaniards on January 13 in Rourkela at the new purpose-built Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium.
The core group of 33 players were put through a two-day selection trial at the SAI Center in Bengaluru to choose the squad that should end India’s 47-year wait for another World Cup triumph. world. India won their one and only World Cup in 1975.
Odisha defender Amit Rohidas will be Harmanpreet’s assistant, while PR Sreejesh will continue to guard the post in his fourth World Cup appearance – third at home.

Vivek Sagar Prasad’s return to midfield, which will be managed by the former skipper Manpreet Singhis the good news for the bronze medalists of the Tokyo Olympics.
Vivek missed the recent Australian tour as well as the Pro League due to an ankle injury.
Veteran striker Akashdeep Singh’s recent good form has earned him the nod to the forward line, which will also feature World Cup debutants Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh.
Rajkumar Pal and drag-flicker Jugraj Singh are the two alternate players, who will be on standby.
“The World Cup is the most important ‘Hockey Only’ tournament there is,” said coach Graham Reid.
“A home World Cup gives extra importance and pressure to this event like no other. Each country chooses the best team they think is available at that time and tries to provide their team with the best possible preparation.
“We have also tried to do both with our selection of our Indian squad for the World Cup, choosing a mix of experienced players and exciting young players who can bring something special.”

Reid added: “We’ve also had great preparation over the past two months, including a Pro League home series and a very tough tour of Australia against the world No. 1 (side). We’re looking forward to arrive in Odisha and put the finishing touches on our preparations for what will be an exciting and challenging tournament ahead.”
TEAM INDIA
Guardians: Krishan Bahadur Pathak, PR Sreejesh
Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Surender Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Varun Kumar, Amit Rohidas (vice-captain), Nilam Sanjeep Xess
Midfielders: Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Shamsher Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Akashdeep Singh
Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh
Substitute players (pending): Rajkumar Pal, Jugraj Singh
(Inputs: Hockey India press release)



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