S2H Team
Manpreet Singh will lead a 20-member Indian men’s team to play upcoming FIH Pro League matches against South Africa and France in Potchefstroom, South Africa, from February 8-13.
Harmanpreet Singh has been named vice-captain by Hockey India who announced the team for the season opener on January 27.
New faces in the 20-strong squad are promising young drag-flicker Jugraj Singh and speedy forward Abhishek. Jugraj, from Amritsar, made his first-ever entry into the senior camp earlier this month after making a mark at the 1st Hockey India Senior Men’s Inter-Department National Championship representing Services Sports Control Board.
Abhishek is a striker who has come through the Junior program with Sultan of Johor Cup experience garnered in 2017 and in 2018. From Sonepat, Haryana, Abhishek shone for Punjab National Bank in the 1st Hockey India Senior Men Inter-Department National Championship as well which brought him an invitation to the camp for the first time.
The squad includes goalkeepers PR Sreejesh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, defenders Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Surender Kumar, Varun Kumar, Jarmanpreet Singh and Jugraj Singh. The midfield includes Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Jaskaran Singh, Shamsher Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad. The forward line features Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Akashdeep Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh and Abhishek.
Chief coach Graham Reid said, “With a very busy and important year ahead, the Indian team is excited to be back on the world stage and playing in the latest edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League. After a three-week camp in Bengaluru, a team has been selected that includes 14 Tokyo Olympians and 2 debutants.
“We have tried to choose an experienced group that will not only give us a great opportunity to start this season of the FIH Hockey Pro League in a positive manner, but it also reflects the high quality of opposition we will encounter in the opening games. We are also using this opportunity to debut two new players. Jugraj Singh, a versatile defender/midfielder who adds to our drag-flick options and Abhishek is a strong, fast striker who loves scoring goals,” Reid added.
The Indian Team will leave for South Africa from Bengaluru on 4 February. They will play France in the first match on 8 February at 2130 hrs IST and take on South Africa on 9 February at 2130hrs IST. They will play France on 12 February at 2130hrs IST and hosts South Africa on the following day at 2130hrs IST.
Matches will be live on Star Sports Select 2 and Star Sports Select 2 HD. Matches will also be shown live on Hotstar.
Team:
Goalkeepers:
Sreejesh PR
Krishan Bahadur Pathak
Defenders:
Harmanpreet Singh (vice-captain)
Amit Rohidas
Surender Kumar
Varun Kumar
Jarmanpreet Singh
Jugraj Singh
Midfielders:
Manpreet Singh (captain)
Nilakanta Sharma
Hardik Singh
Jaskaran Singh
Shamsher Singh
Vivek Sagar Prasad
Forwards:
Mandeep Singh
Lalit Kumar Upadhyay
Akashdeep Singh
Shilanand Lakra
Dilpreet Singh
Abhishek
Standbys:
Suraj Karkera
Mandeep Mor
Raj Kumar Pal
4. Sumit
5. Gursahibjit Singh