Harmanpreet Singh to lead Hockey India's 26-member squad in SA

PTC Web Desk: Hockey India has revealed a 26-member squad set to participate in a prestigious four-nation series hosted in Cape Town, South Africa, commencing on January 22. This tournament will witness the presence of France, the Netherlands, India, and the host nation, South Africa. Leading the Indian team will be Harmanpreet Singh, with Hardik Singh, the FIH Player of the Year, appointed as the Vice Captain.

Notably, promising talents Araijeet Singh Hundal and Boby Singh Dhami earned their spots in the squad following commendable performances for the junior Indian side.

Also Read | Jharkhand woman to break 30-year silence after opening of Ram temple

Know the squad

The squad comprises goalkeepers PR Sreejesh, Krishan Pathak, and Pawan, accompanied by defenders Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Sumit, Sanjay, and Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem.

The midfield will be commanded by Vivek Sagar Prasad, Nilakanta Sharma, Rajkumar Pal, Shamsher Singh, Vishnukant Singh, Hardik Singh, and Manpreet Singh. Meanwhile, the forward line will feature Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Akashdeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, and Boby Singh Dhami.

Chief Coach Craig Fulton, expressing his anticipation for the series, mentioned, "We are eagerly looking forward to launching into the Olympic year with the South Africa Tour, where we will face high-caliber teams. The decision to opt for a larger squad aims to provide players with exposure and allows me to assess their performance ahead of the FIH Hockey Pro League. Ahead of our departure, we will conduct a brief camp at SAI, Bengaluru. Additionally, incorporating two young talents into the Senior side adds an intriguing dynamic as we observe their adaptation to our competitive level."

Also Read | Siraj credits Bumrah for success; translation gesture wins hearts

Also Read | Alaska Airlines: Door blows open mid-flight | Watch Video

Also Read | Kiara's 'wowieee' comment for hubby Sidharth Malhotra sparks frenzy