New Delhi, Feb 17 (PTI) Mid-fielder Hardik Singh was on Tuesday named captain of the Indian men’s hockey team for its FIH Pro League matches in Hobart (Feb 20-25) after regular skipper Harmanpreet Singh opted out due to “personal reasons”.
The Hobart leg at the Tasmania Hockey Centre will feature India, hosts Australia and Spain. India are looking to bounce back after losing all four matches in the Rourkela leg, including a 0-8 defeat to Argentina.
Coach Craig Fulton said the team had taken lessons from the Rourkela outing and made improvements, adding that the Hobart matches will be key as India look to finalise their squad for the World Cup and Asian Games.
A source close to Harmanpreet said he will miss the matches to welcome his second child with wife Amandeep Kaur.
India’s squad:
Goalkeepers: Suraj Karkera, Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar
Defenders: Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, Amandeep Lakra, Yashdeep Siwach, Poovanna Chandura Boby
Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Hardik Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Vishnu Kant Singh, Raj Kumar Pal
Forwards: Abhishek, Shilanand Lakra, Mandeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Angad Bir Singh, Maninder Singh
By Juhi | With inputs from PTI