Hockey World Cup 2018: Meet the Indian team

Here are the 18 players leading India's challenge in the Men's Hockey World Cup 2018 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Midfielder Manpreet Singh will lead the Indian team coached by Harendra Singh.

Harendra Singh, Head Coach:  Represented India between 1985 and 1991 as a player and took up coaching at the age of 32. He guided India’s Junior team to the 2016 Junior Hockey World Cup in Lucknow and worked with the women’s senior team, before being swapped with Dutch coach Sjoerd Marijne in May 2018. After finishing second at the 2018 Champions Trophy, India finished third at the Asian Games 2018. The 52-year old made some surprising decisions by dropping Rupinder Pal Singh and Ramandeep Singh to go with a young team for the World Cup.

Harendra Singh has made some tough decisions after taking over as the men's team head coach in May, 2018.

 

Captain

Manpreet Singh, 26: The most capped player in the squad, with 238 international caps, he is a big presence in the midfield. Manpreet is a skilled dribbler and tough to dispossess. He is the heart of most attacking moves.

Manpreet Singh needs to lead from the front as India begins its campaign in Bhubaneswar from November 28.

 

Goalkeepers

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - AUGUST 24: India's goalkeeper Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh of India #16 in action during Men's Hockey Pool A Preliminary Round match between Japan and India on day six of the Asian Games on August 24, 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)

 

P.R. Sreejesh, 30: With 204 international caps, including two Olympics and a World Cup, under his belt, he has had a stellar career. He captained India to two silver-medal finishes in the 2016 and 2018 Champions Trophy, and the gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games.

BENGALURU - KARNATAKA - 08/01/2018 : Indian men's hockey team (L-R) Vivek Sagar Prasad, Dilpreet Singh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Simranjeet Singh, during the National camp at the Sports Authority of India (SAI south centre), in Bengaluru on January 08, 2018. Photo: K. Murali Kumar

 

Krishan Bahadur Pathak, 21: The young custodian from Kapurthala has been Sreejesh's understudy for while. He has held on to his place in the squad ever since lifting the 2016 Junior Hockey World Cup in Lucknow. India’s head coach Harendra Singh believes Krishan is the future.

 

Defenders

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 17: Harmanpreet Singh of India with his Best Junior Player Of The Tournament award during the FIH Mens Hero Hockey Champions Trophy 1st-2nd place match between Australia and India at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on June 17, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

 

Harmanpreet Singh, 22: With Rupinder Pal Singh failing to make the cut, he has the responsibility of taking penalty corners. He is in good form, having scored six goals in the Asian Champions Trophy in Oman.

KARNATAKA - BENGALURU - 08/11/2016 : Varun Kumar, Indian Junior men's hockey team, during the Junior men's hockey team training session at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) South (Kengeri), in Bengaluru on November 08, 2016. Photo: K. Murali Kumar.

 

Varun Kumar, 23: He too can step up for penalty corners and his abilities have improved under analytical coach Chris Ciriello. He is good at dispossessing attackers on the edge of the box.

Australia's Flynn Ogilvie (R) vies for the ball with Surender Kumar of India during the final match of the 2016 Sultan Azlan Shah men's field hockey tournament at Azlan Shah stadium in Malaysia's northern town of Ipoh on April 16, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / MANAN VATSYAYANA

 

Surender Kumar, 24: After impressing with the Junior team and in the Hockey World League, he made his senior team debut in 2013 in the Champions Trophy and recently went past 100 international caps at the Asian Champions Trophy. He displays great pace while surging forward and is capable of creating scoring opportunities with his crosses from the right flank.

Amit Rohidas (L) of India and Sam Ward (R) of England fight for the ball during the men's field hockey match between India and England at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games on April 11, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Anthony WALLACE

 

Amit Rohidas, 25: The Odisha player is also a penalty corner specialist, and is a stable influence during the closing moments. Rohidas was nearly dropped for the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy, but made the squad at the last minute, underscoring the faith the coaching setup has in him.

New Delhi, 23/02/2013: Indian Hockey Mens team member Khadangbam Kothajit Singh tussle with China's Li Tao during the Hockey World League Round-2 at National Stadium in New Delhi on February 23,2013. Photo:R_V_Moorthy

 

Kothajit Singh, 26: A key figure since 2012, he has notched up 186 international caps. Adept at playing in the midfield and in the defence, Kothajit is a tough tackler and will be tasked with breaking up opposition attacks.

BHUBANESWAR, 28/11/2017: India’s Manpreet Singh and Birendra Lakra returns back after finish the practice match against England at Kalinga stadium ahead of the Hockey World League Final matches in Bhubaneswar. Photo: Biswaranjan Rout

 

Birendra Lakra, 28: Technically-gifted and creative while going forward, he has the experience of playing in the World Cup and Olympics. Alongside Kothajit, his experience will be important for the young defence.

Midfielders

 

Nilakanta Sharma, 23: One of the seven players from the 2016 Junior World Cup-winning squad, he is a constant threat in the final fourth with his accurate passes. The Manipur man has good positional sense and the ability to score against packed defences.

New Delhi, 23/02/2013: Indian Hockey Mens team member Kangujam Chinglensana Singh tussle with China's Wang Guolong during the Hockey World League Round-2 at National Stadium in New Delhi on February 23,2013. Photo:R_V_Moorthy

 

Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, 26 (vice-captain): He will make his 200th international appearance in India’s World Cup opener against South Africa. A gifted passer of the ball, he also has the best hold-up skills in the team.

Chandigarh 11/02/2017: Nikkin Thimmaiah of Dabang Mumbai attempts to steal an attack from Hardik Singh of Punjab Warriors during a Hockey India League match played between Punjab Warriors and Dabang Mumbai in Chandigarh 11/02/2017: in Chandigarh on Saturday, February 11 2017. Photo: Akhilesh Kumar Chandigarh 11/02/2017: Nikkin Thimmaiah of Dabang Mumbai attempts to steal an attack from Hardik Singh of Punjab Warriors during a Hockey India League match played between Punjab Warriors and Dabang Mumbai in Chandigarh 11/02/2017: in Chandigarh on Saturday, February 11 2017. Photo: Akhilesh Kumar -

 

Hardik Singh, 20: He made his international debut in the Asian Champions Trophy and displayed enough skills for the coach to pick him ahead of Jarmanpreet Singh. Hardik is the nephew of India's former drag-flicker Jugraj Singh.

11/04/2017: (from L to R): Gurinder Singh, Manpreet (Jr), Suraj Karkera, and Sumit -- who are in line to debut for the Indian senior men's hockey team at the 26th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia -- strike a pose with captain P.R. Sreejesh (centre) at the Sports Authority of India here on Tuesday. Photo by: Shreedutta Chidananda

 

Sumit, 21: He has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in the last two years. He has the perfect platform to prove himself on the biggest stage after his idol Sardar Singh retired in September.

Forwards

BHUBANESWAR, 20/03/2017: Indian Hockey player Akashdeep Singh runs with the ball in a exhibition match in Bhubaneswar. Photo: Biswaranjan Rout BHUBANESWAR, 20/03/2017: Indian Hockey player Akashdeep Singh runs with the ball in a exhibition match in Bhubaneswar. Photo: Biswaranjan Rout - BHUBANESWAR, 20/03/2017: Indian Hockey player Akashdeep Singh runs with the ball in an exhibition match in Bhubaneswar. Photo: Biswaranjan Rout

 

Akashdeep Singh, 23: He is the leader of the attack and will have to step up even more in the absence of S.V. Sunil. Akashdeep was India’s top scorer at the 2014 World Cup, with five goals, and also has the experience of playing at the Olympics. He has a knack for scoring spectacular goals.

BHUBANESWAR, 01/12/2017: India’s Mandeep Singh smiles after scoring goal against Australia in the Hockey World League Final match at Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar. Photo: Biswaranjan Rout

 

Mandeep Singh, 23: His ability to read the spaces inside the circle makes him a handy finisher. He has often displayed speed and agility in cashing in on penalty-corner rebounds.

LUCKNOW, UTTAR PRADESH, 19/12/2016:JR WORLD CUP HOCKEY FINALS INDIA WON: Simranjeet Singh who scored the 2nd goal beating Belgium by 2-1 in the Finals of Jr. World Cup Hockey Tournament, Major Dhyanchand Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday. Photo Rajeev Bhatt

 

Simranjeet Singh, 21: A new face in the senior team, he showed promise at the Asian Games and Asian Champions Trophy. Scored the winning goal against Belgium in the 2016 Junior World Cup final.

BENGALURU - KARNATAKA - 08/01/2018 : Indian men's hockey team (L-R) Vivek Sagar Prasad, Dilpreet Singh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Simranjeet Singh, during the National camp at the Sports Authority of India (SAI south centre), in Bengaluru on January 08, 2018. Photo: K. Murali Kumar

 

Dilpreet Singh, 19: The wiry teenager made his U-21 debut in November, 2017, in the Sultan of Johor Cup and has already notched up 36 appearances for the senior side. He often showcases composure beyond his years and scores from tough angles.

BHUBANESWAR, 24/11/2017: Indian hockey team player Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and Manpreet Singh walks on the ground during their practice session ahead of the Hockey World League 2017 final matches at the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar. Photo: Biswaranjan Rout

 

Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, 24: He is able to pierce tough defences with his passing range and can score goals during crucial periods. His brightest moment came when his winner against Malaysia helped India lift the 2017 Asia Cup.