In preparation for the forthcoming doubleheader matches against Spain and New Zealand in the opening game of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2022–2023, Hockey India has named the 22-member Indian Men’s Hockey Team on Tuesday ,Bhubaneswar will host the matches.

All matches will be held at 1900 hours at the iconic Kalinga Hockey Stadium, which will also host the most-awaited FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup Bhubaneswar-Rourkela in January 2023.

India is scheduled to take on New Zealand when they begin their campaign on October 28 and will take on Spain on October 28. On the following week, India will play their second tie against New Zealand on November 4 and play Spain on November 6.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh will led the Indian squad and he will be ably assisted by the experienced midfielder Manpreet Singh.

The team will also see some fresh faces in Mohd Raheel Mouseen, who was part of India’s victorious outing in the FIH Hockey 5’s earlier this year and S Karthi, who played his maiden tournament for India at the Asia Cup Jakarta.

The team includes goalkeepers Krishan Bahadur Pathak and PR Sreejesh. Among defenders Jarmanpreet Singh, Surender Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Mandeep Mor and Nilam Sanjeep Xess have been selected.

Midfielders Sumit, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Shamsher Singh, Rajkumar Pal and Mohd Raheel Mouseen have been picked to represent India. In the forwardline S Karthi has been credited for his performance in the Asia Cup held in Jakarta earlier this year. He will play alongside experienced forwards Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh.

Talking about the team, Chief Coach Graham Reid said: “We have chosen an experienced squad to play the first two rounds of Pro League starting this weekend in Bhubaneswar. Given that, we also have two new players playing in the Pro League.”

“Mohammed Raheel will make his debut in the 11-a-side format after strong performances including Leading Goal Scorer and Player of the Tournament at the FIH 5’s tournament in Lausanne in June and at the recent National Games in Rajkot. S. Karthi is also making a return after his impressive debut at the Asia Cup earlier this year. He is a strong bustling striker with a powerful shot at goal, who has a presence in the circle, important against the strong European and Oceania nations.”

Reid also emphasized on increasing the leadership skills of the group and thus chosing Harmanpreet to lead the side for these matches. “We are continuing to expand the leadership skills of the group with Harmanpreet Singh being selected as Captain for these first four games,” Reid added.

Indian Men’s Team:

Goalkeepers: Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran

Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Surender Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh (Captain), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Mandeep Mor, Nilam Sanjeep Xess

Midfielders: Sumit, Manpreet Singh (Vice-Captain), Hardik Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Shamsher Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Rajkumar Pal, Mohd. Raheel Mouseen

Forwards: S. Karthi, Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh

(inputs from IANS)