Hockey India has announced the much-anticipated men's squadof 16 members for the upcoming Paris Olympics that are set to be played from July 26 to August 11. Harmanpreet Singh who will be playing his third Olympics will continue to lead the team while Hardik Singh is the vice-captain. Team India had won the bronze medal at 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
As far as the squad is concerned, it also features veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and midfielder Manpreet Singh who will be playing at the Summer Games for the fourth time. Apart from skipper Harmanpreet, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Sumit, and Sanjay are part of the defence line while the forward line comprises Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and Gurjant Singh apart from Mandeep.
A total of five players have made it to the squad who will most likely make their debut at the Olympics and they are - Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Raj Kumar Pal, Abhishek, and Sukhjeet Singh. Head coach Craig Fulton is happy with the squad picked for the Olympics and stated that the team is ready to lock horns against the best teams in the world. India are placed in Pool B alongside Belgium (who won gold in the last Olympics), Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and Ireland.
"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.
"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," Fulton said. Team India's first match at the Olympics will be on July 27 against New Zealand. There are big hopes from the Hockey team at the Olympics as India has won 8 Gold, 1 Silver, and 3 Bronze medals at the Games before.
India's Hockey squad for Paris Olympics 2024
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
