Open Extended ReactionsIndia announced their 16-member squad for the Paris Olympics on Wednesday.
There are five Olympic debutants in the squad that will be led by Harmanpreet Singh, with Hardik Singh as vice-captain.
This is Harmanpreet's third Olympics, and the squad is a interesting mix of experience and youth.
Tokyo 2020 captain and Rio 2016 captain Manpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh are the most capped players in the squad.
Sreejesh is also the only goalkeeper in the squad, with Krishan Bahadur Pathak in the three-man alternate players list.
Open Extended Reactions
India announced their 16-member squad for the Paris Olympics on Wednesday. There are five Olympic debutants in the squad that will be led by Harmanpreet Singh, with Hardik Singh as vice-captain.
This is Harmanpreet's third Olympics, and the squad is a interesting mix of experience and youth. Tokyo 2020 captain and Rio 2016 captain Manpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh are the most capped players in the squad. Sreejesh is also the only goalkeeper in the squad, with Krishan Bahadur Pathak in the three-man alternate players list.
The debutants from this squad are Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Raj Kumar Pal, Abhishek, and Sukhjeet Singh.
Speaking on the team selection, Chief Coach Craig Fulton said, "The selection process for the Paris Olympics' squad was incredibly competitive due to the depth of talent within our ranks, however, I am confident that every player chosen will bring their best to Paris. Each player selected has demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and resilience throughout our rigorous preparation phase. Our journey has been marked by unwavering commitment to excellence and a collective drive to elevate Indian hockey on the world stage."
He added, "This squad embodies a perfect blend of experienced players and promising young talents, giving us the versatility and energy required to tackle the challenges ahead. Our focus has been on building a cohesive team that can adapt to different playing styles and situations, and I believe we have achieved that."
"As we head to Paris, our goal is clear - to play with heart, skill, and determination. We are prepared to face the world's best teams and strive for the highest podium. This squad is ready to seize the opportunity and bring glory to India. We are confident in our abilities and excited about the journey ahead."
India are placed in Pool B alongside defending Champions Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland. Pool A comprises the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, South Africa, and host nation France. To advance to the Quarter-Finals, the team must secure a top-four finish in their pool.
The squad:
Goalkeepers:
Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran
Defenders:
Jarmanpreet Singh
Amit Rohidas
Harmanpreet Singh
Sumit
Sanjay
Midfielders:
Rajkumar Pal
Shamsher Singh
Manpreet Singh
Hardik Singh
Vivek Sagar Prasad
Forwards:
Abhishek
Sukhjeet Singh
Lalit Kumar Upadhyay
Mandeep Singh
Gurjant Singh
Alternate Athletes:
Nilakanta Sharma
Jugraj Singh
Krishan Bahadur Pathak
