New Delhi [India], February 20 (ANI): The Indian males’s hockey staff is equipped for a recent begin as they shift focus to the Hobart leg of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025-26, scheduled from February 20 to 25 on the Tasmania Hockey Centre in Australia. Eager to bounce again and ship improved performances, India will tackle Spain and hosts Australia in what guarantees to be a extremely aggressive block of matches.
The latest dwelling leg at Rourkela was extremely disappointing, with Team India shedding all their matches, 1-3 towards Belgium, 0-8 towards Argentina.
While the latest Rourkela leg proved to be a steep studying curve, the staff has regrouped with a optimistic mindset. They view the upcoming fixtures as a significant alternative to check combos, refine their construction, and construct momentum forward of the upcoming Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup and Asian Games in Japan this 12 months, a launch stated. The 24-member squad incorporates a dynamic mixture of seasoned campaigners and thrilling younger expertise able to make their mark on the worldwide stage.
India will start their Hobart marketing campaign towards Spain on February 21, adopted by a high-octane conflict towards Australia on February 22. They will face Spain once more on February 24, earlier than concluding the Hobart leg with a closing match towards the formidable Australian aspect on February 25.
Recent historical past suggests an exhilarating set of matches awaits. India and Spain have been extremely evenly matched of their final 10 encounters, claiming 4 regulation wins every, alongside two attracts that India went on to win in shootouts. Against Australia, high-scoring drama has been a relentless. While the hosts maintain the statistical edge of their final 10 conferences with six wins to India’s two (and two attracts), a re-energised Indian squad can be wanting to flip the script on Australian soil.
Two-time Olympic bronze medallist Hardik Singh has been named captain for the Australia leg of the Pro League within the absence of Harmanpreet Singh. The squad additionally welcomes an inflow of youth, with gamers like Amandeep Lakra and Manmeet Singh trying to construct on their latest senior debuts, alongside rising stars equivalent to Angad Bir Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, and Aditya Arjun Lalage, who can be wanting to show their mettle within the ahead line.
‘It is an amazing honour to steer the nationwide staff in a prestigious match just like the Pro League. While we will definitely miss Harmanpreet’s presence on the pitch, his absence gives a helpful alternative for the remainder of the group to step up and take cost. As a staff, we’ve reviewed our latest matches, realized our classes, and are getting into Hobart with a extremely optimistic and aggressive mindset,’ Hardik Singh stated in keeping with the discharge,
Sharing his ideas on the younger additions to the squad, Hardik added, ‘I’m extremely excited concerning the new faces becoming a member of us for this tour. Youngsters carry very recent, fearless power to our attacking lineup. They have labored exceptionally laborious to earn their spots, and enjoying towards top-tier groups like Australia and Spain is the proper platform for them to precise themselves. The complete group is motivated to assist them, execute our plans, and play the model of hockey India is thought for.’
With renewed focus and some extent to show, the Indian staff will look to make a assured assertion on the Tasmania Hockey Centre and lay a robust basis for main tournaments later this 12 months. (ANI)