FIH Pro League 2023-24: Hockey India Unveils 24-Member Indian Men’s Team Led by Harmanpreet Singh

Harmanpreet Singh has been named the captain of the 24-member Men's Team, with experienced midfielder Hardik Singh serving as the Vice Captain for the FIH Pro League matches.

Harmanpreet Singh in action during the Australia vs India, Men's Hockey match during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Source : Getty

Hockey India has announced a 24-member Men's Team led by ace drag flicker Harmanpreet Singh, with Hardik Singh as his deputy, for the Bhubaneswar and Rourkela legs of the FIH Pro League. The Bhubaneswar leg is scheduled to take place from 10th to 16th February, followed by the Rourkela leg from 19th to 25th February.

India will face Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and Australia twice each across both legs, commencing their campaign against Spain on February 10. The team comprises a blend of experience and youth, with goalkeeping duties shared between Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran and Krishan Bahadur Pathak. The defensive lineup includes Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Sumit, Sanjay, Jugraj Singh and Vishnukant Singh.

The midfield area will be led by players such as Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Shamsher Singh, Rajkumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma and Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem.

The forward line features Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, Akashdeep Singh and Araijeet Singh Hundal, who recently made his debut for India during the South Africa tour.

‘We’ve Selected A Well-Balanced Squad’

Chief Coach Craig Fulton, as quoted by PTI, expressed confidence in the squad, stating, "We’ve carefully selected a well-balanced squad, blending seasoned expertise with the vigour of youth. Our goal is to forge a cohesive unit capable of competing at the highest level."

He emphasised the significance of the FIH Pro League in refining strategies, measuring skills against top-tier opponents, and preparing for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 and the Paris Olympics.

“The FIH Pro League serves as an ideal platform to refine our strategies and measure our skills against top-tier opponents. The league’s significance is paramount, with champions earning a coveted spot in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026. Additionally, it offers a valuable opportunity to pinpoint areas for enhancement, playing a pivotal role in our preparations for the Paris Olympics. We hold the belief that this exposure will elevate our performance and equip us to confront the impending challenges with confidence,” he added further as per PTI.

Indian Men’s Hockey Team:

Goalkeepers

1. Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran 
2. Krishan Bahadur Pathak

  Defenders

3. Jarmanpreet Singh 
4. Sumit 
5. Jugraj Singh  
6. Amit Rohidas 
7. Harmanpreet Singh (C) 
8. Varun Kumar 
9. Sanjay 
10. Vishnukant Singh 

  Midfielders

11. Hardik Singh (VC) 
12. Vivek Sagar Prasad 
13. Manpreet Singh 
14. Nilakanta Sharma 
15. Shamsher Singh 
16. Rajkumar Pal         
17. Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem

Forwards

18. Lalit Kumar Upadhyay 
19. Mandeep Singh 
20. Gurjant Singh 
21. Sukhjeet Singh 
22. Abhishek   
23. Akashdeep Singh 
24. Araijeet Singh Hundal