Manpreet Singh, a star midfielder and Olympic bronze medalist, will head a 20-man Indian hockey squad in two FIH Pro League matches against South Africa and France, which will take place from February 8 to 13. Harmanpreet Singh, the best drag-flicker in the world, will assist Manpreet. The squad has two new faces: Jugraj Singh, a young drag-flicker, and Abhishek, a striker.
Jugraj, from Attari, was called up to the senior national camp for the first time after impressing national selectors at the first Hockey India Senior Men Inter-Department National Championship, where he represented the Services Sports Control Board.
Abhishek, on the other hand, is a striker who was previously a member of the junior programme and has represented India in the Sultan of Johor Cup in 2017 and 2018.
Abhishek, a native of Sonepat, Haryana, also performed admirably for Punjab National Bank in the first Senior Men Inter-Department National Championship, earning him a place in the senior national camp for the first time.
Goalkeepers PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak are among the 20-man team, as are defenders Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Surender Kumar, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj, and Varun Kumar.
Manpreet Singh will keep an eye on the midfield, which features Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Shamsher Singh, Jaskaran Singh and, Vivek Sagar Prasad.
Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra and, Abhishek make up the forward line.
Graham Reid, India's head coach, said in a statement, "After a three-week camp in Bengaluru, a team has been selected that includes 14 Tokyo Olympians and two debutants."
With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, India will go with four additional players in addition to five stand-bys.
"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, it 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," the Australians said.
On February 4, the Indian squad will depart Bengaluru for South Africa.
India's opening encounter will be against France on February 8, followed by a match against hosts South Africa the next day.
The Indians will play France again on February 12 before concluding their tour against South Africa the following day.
Potchefstroom, South Africa, will host both of the two-match games.
Indian Hockey team
Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh (Vice-captain), Amit Rohidas, Surender Kumar, Varun Kumar, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh.
Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak.
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
At next month's Hero, Asian Champions Trophy in Dhaka, Olympic bronze medalist captain Manpreet Singh will lead a 20-member Indian men's hockey team that will be missing veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. While Manpreet will lead the team, Harmanpreet Singh, a star drag-flicker, has been selected vice-captain for the tournament, which runs from December 14 to 22.
There are a lot of fresh faces on India's roster for the tournament, which is their first trip since the Tokyo Olympics. Sreejesh, the talismanic goalkeeper, has been rested, and Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera will take his place.
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