Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s five men hockey players named in a 24-member Indian Men’s Hockey Team, announced by Hockey India on Thursday. The team will participate in the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025–26 for the Rourkela leg of the tournament, scheduled to take place from 10th to 15th February 2026 at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela.
The local players are defender, Amit Rohodas, Amandeep Lakra, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Midfielder, Roshan Kujur and forward, Shilananda Lakra named in the national squad.
Odia player Amandeep Lakra, comes into the squad on the back of an impressive outing in the recently concluded Men’s Hero Hockey India League 2025–26, where he was adjudged the Hero Player of the Tournament, underlining his growing influence at the senior level.
Among the notable inclusions is 21-year-old Rosan Kujur from Odisha, who has earned his maiden call-up to the senior national squad. Kujur was a member of the Indian Junior Team that secured the bronze medal at the FIH Junior World Cup 2025 in Chennai. He also enjoyed a breakthrough domestic season, playing a key role for Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, who went on to lift the Hero Hockey India League 2025–26 title.
The Rourkela leg will feature hosts India, alongside international heavyweights Argentina and Belgium, promising high-intensity encounters against some of the world’s top hockey nations.
The Indian squad features a strong blend of experienced players and young talent across all departments as the team looks to make a strong start to its Pro League campaign on home soil.
India 24-member squad: Goalkeepers: Suraj Karkera, Pawan, Defenders: Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Sanjay, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Amandeep Lakra, Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Hardik Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Rosan Kujur, Forwards: Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Selvam Karthi, Mandeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Aditya Arjun Lalage.
