Harmanpreet to lead Indian hockey team, Sreejesh set for fourth Olympics

New Delhi: Hockey India on Wednesday announced a 16-member Indian men’s hockey team that will compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics. With five Olympic debutants in the squad, the team is infused with a fresh approach, driven by intense training and preparation at the ongoing national camp at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Bengaluru.

The Indian team will continue to be led by ace drag-flicker and defender Harmanpreet Singh, with midfielder Hardik Singh as his deputy. Harmanpreet is set to play in his third Olympics, having debuted as the youngest member of the Indian squad at the 2016 Rio Olympics and subsequently contributing to the bronze medal win at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The squad also features veteran goalkeeper P R Sreejesh and midfielder Manpreet Singh, both of whom will be making their fourth Olympic appearance. The defence line includes Harmanpreet, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Sumit, and Sanjay, while the midfield will see the contributions of Raj Kumar Pal, Shamsher Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik, and Vivek Sagar Prasad. The forward line boasts of Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, and Gurjant Singh.

Ggoalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak, midfielder Nilakanta Sharma, and defender Jugraj Singh have been named as alternate athletes.

Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Raj Kumar Pal, Abhishek, and Sukhjeet Singh are the five players who are set to make their Olympic debut in Paris.

Speaking on the team selection, chief coach Craig Fulton said: "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.”

India are placed in Pool B alongside defending champions Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland. To advance to the quarterfinals, the team must secure a top-four finish in their pool.

Pool A comprises the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, South Africa, and host nation France.

India will kick off their campaign on July 27 against New Zealand, followed by a match against Argentina on July 29. They will then face Ireland and Belgium on July 30 and August 1, respectively, with their final group stage game against Australia on August 2.

Indian squad: Goalkeeper: P R Sreejesh.

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.