Hockey India the governing body of Hockey in India announced 18 member squad for Belgium and Netherlands tour. The team comprises of young talents out of which six of the them will make their debut. The first match of the tour will be played against Belgium on 9th August at Boom . The key players who participated in World hockey league Semi Finals are rested making room for new and young talents which clearly indicates the amount of Exposure Hockey India wants to give to the young talents taking Asia cup and Odisha mens hockey world cup in consideration.
The team will be lead by Manpreet Singh with Chinglensana Singh as the vice captain . Six youngsters will also make their debut for the Indian team . Must read : No Hockey India league in 2018
- Suraj Karkera , the goalkeeper from Mumbai who plays for UP Wizards in hockey India League.
- Varun Kumar , the defender cum drag flicker from Punjab also gets a chance considering his impressive show at the 2016 Junior world cup where India won the title after 16 years. He plays for Jaypee Punjab Warriors in the HIL.
- Dipsan Tirkey , the young defender from Rourkela ( Odisha) showed alot of promise in Junior world cup last year and also was the Vice captain of the team . He plays for Kalinga Lancers in HIL.
- Gurjant Singh Virk , the pacy forward has done wonders for India in the Junior world cup last year and now finds his way in the senior team.He plays for Dabang Mumbai in HIL.
- Armaan Qureshi , this forward from Bhopal(Madhya Pradesh) has amazed one and all with his skills and speed on the hockey pitch , he has scored consistently for Jaypee Punjab Warriors in HIL and also for the Junior Indian hockey team .
- Nilakanta Sharma , this midfielder from Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) gets reward for his consistent performance at Junior Hockey world cup last year with an entry into the senior Indian team.He plays for Dabang Mumbai in HIL.
Roelant Oltmans the national coach said that they will keep trying the new and young talents at international level considering 2020 olympics in mind and also the Asia cup and 2018 mens hockey world cup . Giving right exposure to young talents and making them play against a tougher opposition like Belgium or Netherlands early in their career will set a long term goals for us,Oltmans further added.
Amit Rohidas who has been out of the national side from a long time finally makes his way in the team considering his impressive run in the Hockey India League playing for Kalinga Lancers. The midfield sensation SK Uthappa also finds his name in the team. Lalit Kumar Upadhyay the skilful forward from Varanasi has also been named in the 18 members squad who was out of the team from a long time .
India team will play 5 matches in the European tour with first two matches to be scheduled on 9th and 10th August as they take on Belgium at Boom. The team will then move on to Waalwijk , Netherlands to face a tough dutch side on 13th and 14th August . The fifth and final match of the tour will be played against Austria at the Amstelveen,Netherlands on 16th August,2017.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Akash Anil Chikte, Suraj Karkera;
Defenders: Dipsan Tirkey, Kothajit Singh, Gurinder Singh, Amit Rohidas, Varun Kumar;
Midfielders: SK Uthappa, Harjeet Singh Manpreet Singh (Captain), Chinglensana Singh (Vice-Captain) Sumit Nilakanta Sharma;
Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay,Gurjant Singh ,Armaan Qureshi
