Manpreet Singh will captain the Indian senior men’s team at the upcoming Three Nations Invitational Tournament in Germany and the Hockey World League Semi-Final in June after Hockey India announced the 18-men squad for the two tournaments on Friday.
Singh replaces PR Sreejesh as captain after the goalkeeper sustained an injury while playing against Australia in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in April. Chinglensana Singh Kangujam has been named as the deputy skipper. The defence line will consist of Pardeep Mor, Kothajit Singh, Surender Kumar, Rupinder Pal Singh and Harmanpreet Singh.
Harmanpreet and Rupinder will be the designated penalty corner takers while Akash Chikte and Vikas Dahiya are the goalkeepers. The midfield consists SK Uthappa, Satbir Singh, Harjeet Singh, Chinglensana Singh and the experienced Manpreet Singh and Sardar Singh.
Ramandeep Singh also returns to the forward-line fold, joining SV Sunil, Akashdeep Singh, Talwinder Singh and Mandeep Singh in the attack.
“The idea was to bring in a couple of changes in positions after Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. Like I had said before, there are three tours this year including Azlan Shah Cup where we would like to give opportunities to younger players,” said chief coach Roelant Oltmans. “Though we are taking a few players who are not that experienced, we still want to do well and the aim is to finish in Top 2 at the Men’s Hockey World League Semi Final and I look forward to see how the boys will perform against big teams.”
The 3 Nations Invitational Tournament begins in Dusseldorf from June 1 while the Hockey World League semi-final begins from June 15 in London.
Squad:
Goalkeepers
1. Akash Chikte
2. Vikas Dahiya
Defenders
3. Pardeep Mor
4. Kothajit Singh
5. Surender Kumar
6. Rupinderpal Singh
7. Harmanpreet Singh
Midfielders
8. Chinglensana Singh Kangujam – Vice Captain
9. SK Uthappa
10. Satbir Singh
11. Sardar Singh
12. Manpreet Singh - Captain
13. Harjeet Singh
Forwards
14. Ramandeep Singh
15. SV Sunil
16. Talwinder Singh
17. Mandeep Singh
18. Akashdeep Singh