Indian hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh will lead a 24-member squad in the upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League matches in Europe. The team will play a total of eight matches against Argentina, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain in two legs of the tournament.
The first leg of the tournament will take place in Antwerp, Belgium from May 22-30, followed by the second leg in London from June 1-12. This tournament will serve as a crucial preparation for the Tokyo Olympics, giving head coach Craig Fulton a chance to finalize his squad for the prestigious event.
After a recent 0-5 loss to Australia in an away Test series, India is currently ranked third in the Pro League standings with 15 points from eight matches. The team will be looking to improve their performance and climb up the rankings during the upcoming matches.
Fulton expressed confidence in the team’s preparation, stating, “We have been training hard at the camp and have developed an understanding of each other’s gameplay. This will be an opportunity to evaluate where we stand as a team and individual players.”
Harmanpreet Singh also shared his excitement for the upcoming matches, saying, “We are looking forward to getting on with the season in the Olympic year with the FIH Hockey Pro League where we will play top-quality teams.” Dynamic midfielder Hardik Singh has been named as the team’s deputy captain for the tournament.
The squad includes experienced goalkeepers PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak, along with a strong defensive and midfield lineup. The team will be aiming to put up a strong performance and gain valuable experience ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.