S2H TEAM
New Delhi, 23 December 2022: India announced a strong, time tested and trusted squad under the leadership of Harmanpreet Singh for the home world cup that starts from 13th Jan. Anticipated return of Akashdeep Singh, who struck a hat-trick against Australia recently, has also happened. The Indian team grouped in pool D along with England, Spain and Wales. India will begin their campaign on 13th January 2023 in the newly built Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela.
Ace dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh is retained the leader with Amit Rohidas as his deputy. The team, strategically selected after two-day trials in SAI Centre, Bengaluru where 33 players were put to test, features a good mix of experienced and young players who will vie to end India’s wait to stand on the podium in the prestigious event.
Krishan B Pathak and PR Sreejesh are again time tested custodians, who have made it to the final 18. Timeless & tireless PR Sreejesh will be playing his fourth World Cup, his third on home soil.
Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will be making his fourth World Cup, third on the home soil
The Indian team’s defence will be spearheaded by the Captain Harmanpreet Singh along with Vice Captain Amit Rohidas, Surender Kumar, Varun Kumar, Jarmanpreet Singh and Nilam Sanjeep Xess.
The midfield will see the return of young prodigy Vivek Sagar Prasad, who missed the recent tour of Australia as well as the FIH Hockey Pro League due to an ankle injury. He will be joined by Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Shamsher Singh and the experienced Akashdeep Singh.
The forwardline will feature Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and youngsters Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh who continue to impress after making their debut earlier this year. The two alternate players chosen are Rajkumar Pal and Jugraj Singh.
Talking about the team selection, Chief Coach Graham Reid said, “The World Cup is the most important “Hockey Only” tournament there is. A home World Cup puts extra importance and extra pressure on this event like no other. Every country chooses the best team they believe is available to them at the time and tries to provide their team with the best preparation they can. We have also tried to do both with the selection of our Indian World Cup team, choosing a mixture of experienced and younger exciting players who can provide something special.”
“We have also had a great preparation over the last two months including a home Pro League series and a very tough tour to Australia against the World’s No.1. We are looking forward to getting to Odisha and put the finishing touches to our preparations for what will be an exciting and challenging tournament ahead,” Reid stated.
India will begin their World Cup campaign against Spain on 13th January in Rourkela followed by their second pool D match against England. They will move to Bhubaneswar to play their third pool match against Wales. The knockout stage will begin with crossover matches on 22nd and 23rd January and the Quarterfinals on 25th and Semifinals on 27th January. The Bronze Medal match and the Final will be held on 29th January.
Indian Team:
Goalkeepers
Krishan Bahadur Pathak
Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran
Defenders
Jarmanpreet Singh
Surender Kumar
Harmanpreet Singh (Captain)
Varun Kumar
Amit Rohidas (Vice Captain)
Nilam Sanjeep Xess
Midfielders
Manpreet Singh
Hardik Singh
Nilakanta Sharma
Shamsher Singh
Vivek Sagar Prasad
Akashdeep Singh
Forwards
Mandeep Singh
Lalit Kumar Upadhyay
Abhishek
Sukhjeet Singh
Alternate Players
Rajkumar Pal
Jugraj Singh