June 26th 2024.
In a recent announcement, Hockey India revealed the 16-member squad for the upcoming Paris Olympics. The team will be led by Harmanpreet Singh, with Hardik Singh as his deputy. The selected squad features a mix of experienced players and five debutants, all of whom are eager to make their mark on the Olympic stage.
India, who clinched a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, will be competing in Pool B alongside strong contenders like defending champions Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland. The top four teams from the pool will advance to the quarter-finals, making every match crucial for India.
The Indian players are currently training hard at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru, fully focused on their goal of bringing home a medal from Paris. Among the squad, goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and midfielder Manpreet Singh will be making their fourth Olympic appearance, while Harmanpreet Singh will be playing in his third Games. The team will also see the debut of five promising players - Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Raj Kumar Pal, Abhishek, and Sukhjeet Singh.
The squad has undergone some changes since their historic performance in Tokyo. Veteran defenders Rupinderpal Singh and Birendra Lakra have retired, and Surender Kumar has been left out of the team. Midfielder Nilkanta Sharma, who was part of the main squad in Tokyo, has been named among the alternate players, while Dilpreet Singh has not made it to the final squad. Goalkeeper Krishan Pathak will serve as an alternate player for the second consecutive Olympics.
The defense will be led by Harmanpreet Singh and will also include Jarmanpreet, Amit Rohidas, Sumit, and Sanjay. The midfield will see the likes of Rajkumar Pal, Shamsher Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, and Vivek Sagar Prasad in action. Abhishek, Sukhjeet, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, and Gurjant Singh will form India's formidable forward line.
Jugraj Singh has been named as India's third alternate player, along with Pathak and Nilkanta. The head coach of the team, Craig Fulton, expressed his confidence in the selected squad, stating that the selection process was highly competitive due to the talented players in the team. He believes that each player brings unique skills and dedication to the team, making them a cohesive unit.
Fulton's focus has been on building a team that can adapt to different playing styles and situations, and he believes that they have achieved that goal. As they head to Paris, the team's aim is clear - to play with heart, skill, and determination and strive for the top spot on the podium. Fulton is convinced that this squad is ready to take on the best teams in the world and bring glory to India.
India's first match will be against New Zealand on July 27, followed by a clash against Argentina on July 29. They will then face Ireland on July 30, Belgium on August 1, and Australia on August 2. The team is determined to add to India's tally of 12 Olympic medals, which includes eight gold, one silver, and three bronze.
In conclusion, the selected squad is a perfect blend of experience and young talent, all of whom are eager to make their mark at the Paris Olympics. The team is fully prepared to take on the world's best and bring home a medal for the country. As they say, "the sky's the limit," and this team is ready to reach for the stars.
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