Hockey India on Thursday named the 18-member team, which will feature at the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018, slated to begin on November 28 at the iconic Kalinga Stadium, here. Midfielder Manpreet Singh will lead the team while Chinglensana Singh Kangujam will be his deputy.

The Indian team will open its campaign against South Africa on the opening day. PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak have been included as goalkeepers. Odisha's experienced defender Birendra Lakra has made a comeback into the team after missing out on the Hero Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat last month due to rehabilitation.