If one goes back a decade or so, the mention of Indian hockey majorly brought it along with its long-time goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, but now the terms are mutually exclusive as Sreejesh is not part of the team.
We have a fresh future before us. This means that the Indian men’s hockey team, having lost the illustrious figure.
The game on its sidelines, is going to face new challenges as it sets its sights on the Asian Champions Trophy to be held at Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, China.
The tournament is set to take place between September 8th to 17th of 2024 and will prove to be a massive examination for the side as they move ahead into the post-Sreejesh era.
The 18-Member Squad: A Balanced Mix of Youth and Experience
Hockey India has announced an 18-member squad for this prestigious tournament. Led by chief goalkeeper Prabath Kumar and captain Harmanpreet Singh, the team blends seasoned veterans with promising young talents.
- Key Players Excluded:
- Hardik Singh
- Mandeep Singh
- Lalit Upadhyay
- Shamsher Singh
- Gurjant Singh
These exclusions open the door for fresh faces to make their mark on the international stage.
Goalkeepers:
- Krishan Bahadur Pathak
- Suraj Karkera
“Filling the shoes of Sreejesh is no easy task, but Pathak and Karkera bring agility and consistency to the table.”
Defenders:
- Jarmanpreet Singh
- Amit Rohidas
- Harmanpreet Singh
- Jugraj Singh
- Sanjay
- Sumit
“A strong defense is key to any championship, and these players bring both experience and fresh energy,” said a team official.
Related articles : Cheers to PR Sreejesh, The God of Modern Indian Hockey
A balanced team, especially with fresh faces
Image Credit: MSN
The main players like Hardik Singh, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Shamsher Singh, and Gurjant Singh were not included in this tournament.
This is because there are always small chances for the young, promising stars to express themselves in the future.
The goalkeepers of the team will be Krishan Bahadur Pathak & Suraj Karkera.
Both have to fill a big gap as they come as replacements for Sreejesh in the team.
Pathak did not look out of place in previous games due to his agility, and Karkera, we can rely on him because he’s most consistent.
A good defense and an active middle-line
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Manpreet Singh | Central Midfielder |
| Nilakanta Sharma | Midfielder |
| Raj Kumar Pal | Midfielder |
| Mohd Raheel | Midfielder |
In defense, there are both the regular candidates and up-and-coming talent within the team.
The defense line-up will comprise of Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, and Sumit.
The knowledge and understanding of the two politicians on how to deal with opposition machinery in the course of the tournament will go along way in determining the success of India.
Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Manpreet Singh, and Mohd The team will also need an efficient midfield, which will have the charge with Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, and Manpreet Singh. Raheel.
In the same way, with Manpreet Singh in the center, the Indians will have one of the most experienced players of the game as a key man to set up the pace of the match while finding young talents like Raj Kumar Pal and Nilakanta Sharma as their agility and creativity will play important roles in the game’s dynamics.
A Young and Promising Forward Line
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Abhishek | Forward |
| Sukhjeet Singh | Forward |
| Araijeet Singh Hundal | Forward |
| Uttam Singh | Forward |
| Gurjot Singh (Newcomer) | Forward |
“These players offer a fresh perspective on the game and bring much-needed alertness in the D area,” noted Fulton.
This is one of the most stimulating features of this team since the forward line is young and full of energy.
The attack will be led by Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Uttam Singh, and a newcomer Gurjot Singh.
These players help the team succeed in offense thanks to the new point of view on the game and alertness in the D area.
Speaking about the tournament, which acts as the starting point of the new Olympic cycle, Chief Coach Craig Fulton said that this was a great chance for the team India.
The new Olympic cycle for us starts from the Asian Champions Trophy, and we are prepared for that, said Fulton.
He also underlined the importance of giving chances to young talents like Gurjot Singh who will be playing in his first match of the international level.
Fulton’s vision for the team is clear: to go on with the dominance of the Asian continent and to continue with the title of champions.
Paris 2024 Olympics also witnessed an improved understanding of the team; much support has come their way, which Fulton anticipates to see them through this tournament and the next.
Want To Get Updated?
Keep up with the latest updates on sports, like Cricket, Football, Table Tennis, Shooting, Squash, Lawn Tennis, Karate, Taekwondo, and Martial Arts.
IndianSportsBuzz is your go-to sports news portal, bringing you real-time and analysis of all the sports you love.
References: news18.com
