Field hockey News: FIH Pro League - India announces squad for 2022-23 season opener; Harmanpreet Singh leads the team

The Indian team will have the skipper Harmanpreet Singh and the vice-captain Manpreet Singh at the frontline. It will include newcomers such as Mohammed Raheel Mouseen, who was earlier seen during India's superb performance in the FIH Hockey five's in early 2022 and S. Karthi, who debuted for India in Asia Cup Jakarta.

Chief Coach Graham Reid spoke about his squad: "We have chosen an experienced squad to play the first two rounds of Pro League starting this weekend in Bhubaneswar. Given that, we also have two new players playing in the Pro League."

Mohammed Raheel Mouseen has had a breakthrough season after becoming the Leading Goal Scorer and Player of the Tournament at the FIH five's tournament in Lausanne in June 2022 and at the 36th National Games in Rajkot. 

Powerful striker S. Karthi on the other hand, enthralled the audiences at the Asia Cup and is now a commanding presence in the circle, especially against the strong European and Oceania nations, said Graham Reid. 

On Hamanpreet Singh and captaincy of the squad, Graham Reid explained that his decision to pick the prolific defender as the leader of the first four games is backed up by a desire to increase the team's leadership skills. 

Who are in the current Indian Men's Hockey team?

The Indian Men's Hockey team includes goalkeepers Krishan Bahadur Pathak and PR Sreejesh. In the defence department, we expect Jarmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Surender Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Mandeep Mor, Jugraj Singh, and Nilam Sanjeep Xess to show up. 

Midfielders Sumit, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Shamsher Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Rajkumar Pal, and Mohd Raheel Mouseen have been shortlisted. 

In the clan of forwards, S. Karthi will join experienced players like Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh, and Sukhjeet Singh. Furthermore, Amit Rohidas and Nilam Sanjeep Xess are from the host city of Odisha. 

Indian Men's Team

Goalkeepers: Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran.

Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Surender Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Mandeep Mor, and Nilam Sanjeep Xess.

Midfielders: Sumit, Manpreet Singh (vice-captain), Hardik Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Shamsher Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Rajkumar Pal, and Mohd. Raheel Mouseen.

Forwards: S. Karthi, Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh, and Sukhjeet Singh.

FIH Hockey World Cup 2023 schedule for India

India will face New Zealand in their season opener on October 28 and compete against Spain on October 30. The following week, India will play their second tie against New Zealand on November 4 and then encounter Spain on November 6. 

These matches will act as tune-up events to the FIH Odisha Men's Hockey World Cup in January 2023 which will also be held at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium. 

January 13, 2023 - India vs Spain - 7:00 PM IST

January 15, 2023 - India vs England – 7:00 PM IST

January 19, 2023 - India vs Wales – 7:00 PM IST