Hockey India appoints 22-man men’s team against Spain and New Zealand

The Indian Hockey League on Tuesday selected the 22-member Indian hockey team for the upcoming double-header matches against Spain and New Zealand in the season opener of the FIH 2022-2023 Professional Hockey League to be held in Bhubaneswar.

India is preparing to face New Zealand when it kicks off its campaign on October 28 and face Spain on October 28. The following week, India will play its second match against New Zealand on November 4 and face Spain on November 6.

All matches will take place at 7pm at the famous Kalinga Hockey Stadium, which will also host the highly anticipated FIH Odisha Bhubaneswar-Rourkela Men’s Hockey World Cup in January 2023.

The Indian team will be led by Captain Harmanpreet Singh and ably assisted by experienced midfielder Manpreet Singh. The team will also see new faces in Muhammad Rahel Mausin, who was part of India’s victorious exit at FIH Hockey 5 earlier this year, and S Karthi, who played his first for India at the Asian Cup in Jakarta.

The team includes goalkeepers Krishan Bahadur Pathak and PR Srejesh. Defenders include Jarmanpreet Singh, Surinder Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Yugraj Singh, Mandeep Moore and Neelam Sanjib Exes.

Midfielders Sumit, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Mirangtheim Rabichandra Singh, Shamsher Singh, Rajkumar Pal and Muhammad Raheel Mosin were chosen to represent India. Up front, S Karthy was recognized for his performance at the Asian Cup held in Jakarta earlier this year. He will play alongside experienced forwards Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Abhishek and Sokjit Singh.

Speaking about the team, coach Graham Reed said: “We have selected an experienced team to play the first two rounds of the Pro League starting this weekend in Bhubaneswar. With that in mind, we also have two new players playing in the Pro League.

“Mohammed Rahil will make his debut in the 11-man squad after strong performances including top scorer and best player of the tournament at the FIH 5 tournament in Lausanne in June and at the recent National Games in Rajkot. S. Karthi also made a comeback after his impressive debut at the Asian Cup in Earlier this year, he is a strong and dynamic striker with a powerful shot on goal and an important presence in the circuit against strong European and Oceania nations.

Reed also focused on increasing the leadership skills of the group and thus chose Harmanpreet to lead the team for these matches. “We continue to develop the leadership skills of the group with the selection of Harmanpreet Singh as captain for these first four matches,” Reed added.

Indian men’s team:

Goalkeepers: Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Srigesh Paratu Ravindran

Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Surinder Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Amit Rohidas, Yugraj Singh, Mandeep Moore, Neelam Sanjib Exes.

Midfielders: Sumit, Manpreet Singh (Deputy Captain), Hardik Singh, Mirangtham, Rabichandra Singh, Shamsher Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Rajkumar Pal, Muhammad. Mausen’s departure

Forwards: S. Karthy, Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh, Sukhit Singh.

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