Harmanpreet Singh for leading the Indian men’s hockey team in the FIH World Cup

Posted On: December 23, 2022

Drag flicker Harmanpreet Singh has been named captain and co-captain of Amit Rohidas of the Indian men’s hockey team for the 2023 FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup Bhubaneswar-Rourkela next month.

India is in Group D along with England, Spain and Wales in the 16-team competition which will take place from 13-29 January 2023.

The squad, strategically selected after a two-day trial at SAI Center, Bengaluru, where 33 players worked their way up, features a good mix of experienced and young players who will compete to end India’s wait for a step onto the podium. the prestigious event, Hockey India announced in a statement on Friday.

PR veteran Sreejesh, who will be playing in his fourth and third World Cup at home, and Krishan B. Pathak have been selected as the team’s two goalkeepers.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh and his deputy Amit Rohidas will lead the defense alongside Surender Kumar, Varun Kumar, Jarmanpreet Singh and Nilam Sanjeep Xess.

Talking about team selection, Head Coach Graham Reid said: “The World Cup is the most important ‘Hockey Only’ tournament. A World Cup at home puts added pressure and importance to this event like no other.”

“Each country selects the best team they think is available at the time and tries to prepare their team as best they can. We have also tried to do both with our India squad selection for the World Cup, selecting an interesting mix of experienced players and young players who can bring something special,” Reid said in a statement Friday.

“We also had good preparation over the last two months, including a Pro League home series and a very tough tour of Australia against the world number one. We can’t wait to arrive in Odisha and put the final touches on our preparations for an exciting and challenging tournament ahead,” said Reid.

India will start their World Cup campaign against Spain on January 13 at Rourkela, followed by their second Group D game against England. They will play their next preliminary league match against Wales in Bhubaneswar, which will also host a crossover and quarter-final clash from January 22-25.