Manpreet to steer India in FIH Pro League; Jugraj, Abhishek to make debuts
Star midfielder and Olympic bronze medal-winning captain Manpreet Singh will lead a 20-member robust Indian hockey crew within the double-leg FIH Pro League ties in opposition to South Africa and France to be held between February 8 to 13.
Manpreet will likely be assisted by ace dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh.
Young dragflicker Jugraj Singh and striker Abhishek are the 2 new faces in thesquad.
Jugraj, who’s from Attari, got here into the senior nationwide camp for the very first time this time after he impressed the nationwide selectors in the course of the first Hockey India Senior Men Inter Department National Championship, the place he turned up for Services Sports Control Board.
Abhishek, alternatively, is a striker who was earlier a part of the junior program and had performed for the India colts in Sultan of Johor Cup in 2017 and 2018.
🚨 TEAM NEWS 🚨
Hockey India names a 20-Member Indian Hockey Men’s Team for the FIH Pro League matches that are going to be held in South Africa beginning eighth February onwards.
To take a look at all of the names, click on on the hyperlink talked about 👉 https://t.co/ylvymcWuUV#IndiaKaGame
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) January 27, 2022
From Sonepat, Haryana, Abhishek additionally did effectively for Punjab National Bank within the maiden Senior Men Inter Department National Championship which helped him earn a spot within the senior nationwide camp for the primary time.
The 20-member squad additionally consists of goalkeepers PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak; defenders Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Surender Kumar, Varun Kumar, Jarmanpreet Singh and Jugraj.
The midfield will likely be below the watchful eyes of Manpreet and in addition consists of Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Jaskaran Singh, Shamsher Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad.
The ahead line consists of Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Akashdeep Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh and Abhishek.
“After a three-week camp in Bengaluru, a team has been selected that includes 14 Tokyo Olympians and two debutants,” India’s chief coach Graham Reid mentioned in an announcement.
Keeping in thoughts the COVID-19 pandemic, India will journey with 4 further gamers apart from retaining 5 stand-byes in hand.
“We have tried to decide on an skilled group that won’t solely give us an amazing alternative to begin this season of the FIH Hockey Pro League in a constructive method, it displays the top quality of opposition we’ll encounter within the opening video games.
“We are also using this opportunity to debut two new players. Jugraj Singh, a versatile defender/midfielder who adds to our dragflick options and Abhishek is a strong, fast striker who loves scoring goals,” the Australian added.
The Indian crew will depart for South Africa from Bengaluru on February 4.
India will play France of their first match on February 8 earlier than squaring off in opposition to hosts South Africa the subsequent day.
The Indians will once more play France on February 12 after which end off their engagements in opposition to South Africa the subsequent day.
Both the two-match ties will likely be held at Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Indian hockey squad:
Goalkeepers: P R Sreejesh, 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, Sumit, Gursahibjit Singh. PTI SSC
