The tour will also serve as a crucial contest for India ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup campaign at home in Rajgir from August 29, which is also a World Cup qualifier
Representational Image (Pic: File Pic)
India has announced its 24-member men's hockey team for the four-match tour of Australia. The tour is scheduled to kick off on August 15 in Perth.
The Indian pack will be led by stalwart Harmanpreet Singh, and the management has also included young defender Poovanna CB.
The tour will also serve as a crucial contest for India ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup campaign at home in Rajgir from August 29, which is also a World Cup qualifier.
Speaking about the Australian tour, Indian men's hockey team head coach Craig Fulton said, "We are heading to Perth, Australia to sharpen up ahead of the Asia Cup in Bihar. The focus will be on improving our physical conditioning and technical execution through quality training and warm up matches."
The coach further said that they have added youngsters to help them gain experience and also get the combinations under pressure.
"We have brought in some younger players to give them valuable exposure and test combinations under pressure. This camp is a key part of our preparation and a chance to build individual and team momentum before competing at home," he said.
Krishan Pathan and Suraj Karkera will feature in the team as goalkeepers, whereas Amit Rohidas, along with Sumit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, and Jugraj Singh, will look after the defence of the team.
Currently, they are training in Bengaluru at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) campus.
The Indian team will leave for Australia on Friday, August 8.
Indian men's hockey squad for the Australia tour:
Goalkeepers: Krishan B Pathak, Suraj Karker.
Defenders: Sumit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh (C), Sanjay, Amit Rohidas, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Jugraj Singh, Poovanna C.
Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem, Vishnu Kant Sing.
Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Selvam Karthi, Aditya Lalage.
(With PTI Inputs)
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