Hockey India names Harmanpreet-led squad for Tour of Australia

August 4, 2025

New Delhi: Hockey India on Monday revealed the 24-member men’s national team that will travel to Perth, Australia, for a four-match exposure tour scheduled from August 15 to 21. The tour serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar, starting August 29, which also acts as a qualifying event for the 2026 Hockey World Cup.

Harmanpreet Singh to Lead, Poovanna CB Among Fresh Faces

The team will be led by star defender and drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh, with the players currently training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) campus in Bengaluru. The squad features several core players, while Karnataka’s Poovanna CB has earned a maiden call-up as a defender. Goalkeeping duties will be shared by Krishan B Pathak and Suraj Karkera.

Young Talent Rajinder Singh Strengthens Midfield

A notable inclusion is midfielder Rajinder Singh, whose playing style draws comparisons to former India captain Sardar Singh. The midfield also includes veterans like Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, and Hardik Singh, alongside emerging players such as Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem and Vishnu Kant Singh.

Balanced Attack with Experienced and Emerging Forwards

The forward line is a mix of experience and youth, featuring names like Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, and Sukhjeet Singh, as well as promising strikers like Selvam Karthi, Aditya Lalage, and Shilanand Lakra.

Chief coach Craig Fulton emphasized the importance of the Australia tour, saying, “We are heading to Perth to sharpen up ahead of the Asia Cup. The focus will be on improving our physical conditioning and technical execution through high-quality training and warm-up matches.”

He also underlined the value of giving younger players exposure to international competition: “We have brought in some younger players to test combinations under pressure. This camp is crucial for building momentum and fine-tuning our performance before we play at home.”