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Hockey India announced their 18-member Indian men’s team for the prestigious Asian Champions Trophy. The tournament is set to be played in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia in China from September 8 to September 17, 2024. The squad saw Krishan Bahadur Pathak being named as the main goalkeeper, and filling in the shoes of legendary PR Sreejesh, who drew curtains on his career after winning the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Sreejesh’s retirement opened the door for Pathak, who fulfilled the role of India’s standby goalie during the Tokyo 2020 and Paris Olympics 2024. Talking about the squad, India, who will enter the competition as defending champions will be led by Harmanpreet Singh, whereas Vivek Sagar Prasad will shoulder the role of the vice-captain. Prasad has replaced Hardik Singh, who will miss the tournament along with Mandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Shamsher Singh and Gurjant Singh, who all have been rested.
The squad will feature Suraj Karkera as the reserve goalkeeper for the side, whereas the defence will see Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay and Sumit in action. The midfield will be formed by Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Manpreet Singh, and Mohd. Raheel. It will be a young attack for Team India, with names like Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Uttam Singh and debutant Gurjot Singh.
India’s squad for Men’s Asian Championship Trophy 2024
Goalkeepers: Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Suraj Karkera
Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh (C), Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit
Midfielders: Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad (VC), Manpreet Singh, Mohd. Raheel Mouseen
Forwards: Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Uttam Singh, Gurjot Singh
