Hockey India has announced the 24-member Indian Men's Hockey team for the upcoming Australian tour. This tour is considered extremely important in terms of preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup.
Sports News: Hockey India has announced the Indian Men's Hockey team for the Australian tour, which is scheduled to begin on August 15th. This tour is considered extremely important in terms of preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. During this tour, the Indian team will play four matches in Perth between August 15th and 21st.
The 24-member team will be captained by experienced drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh, while the responsibility of goalkeeping will be handled by Krishan B. Pathak and Suraj Karkera. Notably, Poovanna CB from Karnataka has received his first call-up to the Indian team. He will be part of the defense line.
Important Preparation for Asia Cup and World Cup
This Australian tour is also significant because the Asia Cup Qualifier will begin on August 29th in Rajgir, Bihar. This tournament will open the path to qualify for the Hockey World Cup to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium in 2026. Chief Coach Craig Fulton has described this tour as an excellent opportunity to give exposure to young players and test the team's fitness and technical skills.
Indian Men's Hockey Team Announced for Australia Tour
- Goalkeepers
- Krishan B. Pathak
- Suraj Karkera
- Defenders
- Harmanpreet Singh (Captain)
- Sumit
- Jarmanpreet Singh
- Sanjay
- Amit Rohidas
- Neelam Sanjeep Xess
- Jugraj Singh
- Poovanna CB (New Face)
- Midfielders
- Rajinder Singh
- Rajkumar Pal
- Hardik Singh
- Manpreet Singh
- Vivek Sagar Prasad
- Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem
- Vishnu Kant Singh
- Forwards
- Mandeep Singh
- Shilanand Lakra
- Abhishek
- Sukhjeet Singh
- Dilpreet Singh
- Selvam Karthi
- Aditya Lalage
Travel and Schedule
- Australia Tour: August 15-21, 2025 (Four matches in Perth)
- Captain: Harmanpreet Singh
- New Face: Poovanna CB (Defender from Karnataka)
- Asia Cup Qualifier: From August 29 in Bihar, India
- World Cup: 2026, in the Netherlands and Belgium
The Indian team will depart from Bengaluru on August 8th. Currently, the team's camp is underway at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre, Bengaluru. The team will play four practice matches in Perth, Australia, from August 15th to 21st, which will be crucial practice sessions in preparation for the Asia Cup.
Chief Coach Fulton said: Our plan is to focus on increasing the players' physical fitness and technical strength. We have given young players a chance in the team so that they can learn to perform better under pressure.
