Harmanpreet to lead India in Pro League matches against Germany and Australia

New Delhi. Drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh will lead a 20-member Indian men’s hockey team against defending world champions Germany and world number four Australia in the upcoming FIH (International Hockey Federation) Hockey Pro League matches. Midfielder Hardik Singh will be the vice-captain of the team. The squad includes experienced goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and youngster Pawan, who has replaced Krishan Bahadur Pathak. Pathak will stay out of the team due to his marriage.

Along with Harmanpreet, Jugraj Singh, Neelam Sanjeep Jess, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Manjeet and Manpreet Singh will man the defense while Hardik, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Moirangtham Rabichandra Singh, Vishnukant Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Shamsher Singh and Raj Kumar Pal will form the midfield. players like Youngsters S Karthi, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek and Gurjant will provide strength to the front line. Australia’s David John and BJ Cariappa have been named as interim coaches for the upcoming matches along with Shivendra Singh. The players, who have not been selected in the national team, have been exempted from the national coaching camp to play in the 3rd Hockey India Senior Men’s Inter-Divisional National Championship 2023, which began in Bengaluru from Sunday. The national selectors have given preference to young players in the team who are making good progress on the international stage. These young players will get guidance from veteran players having international experience.

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said in a statement issued here, “The team will play under the supervision of an interim coach in the FIH Hockey Pro League in Rourkela. The team will play under the supervision of the interim coach until Hockey India announces the new head coach. The team will then play against Germany for the second time on March 13 and against Australia on March 15. Meanwhile, Australia and Germany will clash at the same venue on March 12 and 14.

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