New Delhi, Aug 28: Seasoned Odisha defender and member of India's Paris Olympics 2024 Bronze medal winning squad Amit Rohidas, has been included in the national men's 18-member hockey team for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy.
The Asian Champions Trophy will be played in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia in China from September 8 to 17. The tournament will see Asia's top hockey playing nations India, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan and hosts China vie for honours, informed Hockey India sources on Wednesday.
India are the defending Champions and they will be led by their Paris medal winning captain and ace drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh. Midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad has been name his deputy.
As expected after retirement of legend goalkeeper PR Sreejesh from international hockey after Paris Games 2024, Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera has been chosen as the two goalkeepers of the squad.
Indian defence will be safeguarded by Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, captain Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay and Sumit.
Former captain Manpreet Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, and Mohd Raheel Mouseen will form the midfield. The forward-line will be taken care of by Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Uttam Singh, and debutant Gurjot Singh.
The team appears to be a nice blend of experience and youth. Ten players from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Bronze medal feat are part of the squad for Asian Champions Trophy.
However, five players including Hardik Singh, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Shamsher Singh and Gurjant Singh have been rested for this tournament.
As per the fixture, Indian team will begin their campaign on September 8 against China. Harmanpreet & Co will then play Japan September 9, Malaysia on September 11th and Korea on September 12. After a day's break, India will take on arch rivals Pakistan on September 14. The Semi-Final and Final will be held played on September 16 and 17 respectively, the tournament fixture revealed.
Indian Men's Hockey Team for Asian Champions Trophy :
Goalkeepers: Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera.
Defenders: Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet , Harmanpreet Singh (Captain), Jugraj Singh, Sanjay and Sumit.
Midfielders: Manpreet Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad (Vice Captain and Mohd Raheel Mouseen.
Forwards: Abhishek, Sukhjeet, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Uttam Singh and Gurjot Singh.
Chief Coach Craig Fulton on the team composition remarked that it is an important campaign for India to ensure their ranking points. The Asian Champions Trophy also marks the beginning of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic cycle, he added.
