It will be a battle of the two most successful teams in the history of Olympics to lock horns in the 2018 Men’s Champions trophy opener. India and Pakistan will look for a fresh start after a disappointing Commonwealth Games, where both the Asian nation failed to bag a medal. India will come in the tournament as the runner-ups of the last edition in 2016, when the team was lead by PR Sreejesh, who is again back as a captain for the national team.
Also read: 2018 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy schedule and timings- Live Streaming, Where to watch
It will also be a battle of two coaches and Indian fans will be disheartened to see Oltmans and Harendra in the opposite corner. The two masters coached Indian Junior team to the junior world cup title in 2016 but unfortunately they will not be in the same team anymore.
Key Players
India: Sardar Singh will be the key to India’s success in a high class encounter. He can calm the nerves of the youngsters and also act as a playmaker in the midfield. However, he is returning to the Indian team after he was not named in the CWG squad and pressure may mount on him.
Pakistan: The 2014 Hockey Champions trophy Silver medallist’s will be lead by Mohammad Rizwan Sr., who will be key to Pakistan’s success. His quick runs can prove lethal for the Indian defenders and the Pakistan’s goal scoring machine will be eager to make a mark.
India vs Pakistan 2018 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy Broadcasters?
You can watch the action live on Star Sports network in subcontinent.
India vs Pakistan 2018 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy Live Streaming?
You can stream the 2018 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy online on the Hotstar app. Download it from the playstore- here
Match Schedule
| 23 June | 17.30 pm IST | India vs Pakistan |
Squads
India: PR Sreejesh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Surender Kumar, Jarmanpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra and Amit Rohidas, Manpreet Singh, Chinglensana Singh Kangujam (VC) Sardar Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad, SV Sunil, Ramandeep Singh Mandeep Singh, Sumit Kumar (Jr.) Akashdeep Singh and Dilpreet Singh.
Pakistan– Mohammad Rizwan Sr.(Captain), Imran Butt, Amjad Ali, Mohammad Irfan Sr., Mubashir Ali, Aleem Bilal, Ammad Shakeel Butt, Touseeq Arshad, Rashid Mahmood, Tasawar Abbas, Abu Bakar, Mohammad Irfan Jr., Arslan Qadir, Umar Bhutta, Shafqat Rasool, Ali Shan, Azfar Yaqoob and Aijaz Ahmed.
