Harmanpreet Singh-led India's men's hockey team announced for Paris Olympics 2024, 5 players to make debut; PR Sreejesh handed key role

The Indian men's hockey team for the Paris 2024 Olympics was announced on Wednesday. The 16-member squad will be competing for gold at the games, which take place from July 26th to August 11, 2024. Harmanpreet Singh, a drag-flicker and defender, will captain the team for the third time in a row. He has been with the team since the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he was the youngest player, and was part of the bronze medal winning team at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Powerful midfielder Hardik Singh will be the vice-captain.

The squad also includes some experienced players. Veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and midfielder Manpreet Singh are both set to make their fourth Olympic appearance. There are also five new faces on the team. Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Raj Kumar Pal, Abhishek, and Sukhjeet Singh will all be making their Olympic debuts in Paris.

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India is placed in Pool B alongside defending champions Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland. To advance to the quarterfinals, India must secure a top-four finish in its pool. The Men in Blue will kick off their campaign on 27th July against New Zealand, followed by a match against Argentina on 29th July. India will then face Ireland and Belgium on 30th July and 1st August, respectively, with its final group stage game against Australia on 2nd August. The Indian men’s hockey team has a rich Olympic history, having secured an impressive 12 Olympic medals, including eight gold, one silver, and three bronze medals, hence, the Harmanpreet-led team will be aiming to add another medal to the tally.

“The selection process for the Paris Olympics’ squad was incredibly competitive due to the depth of talent within our ranks, however, I am confident that every player chosen will bring their best to Paris. Each player selected has demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and resilience throughout our rigorous preparation phase. Our journey has been marked by unwavering commitment to excellence and a collective drive to elevate Indian hockey on the world stage,” talking about the team selection, chief coach Craig Fulton said.

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“This squad embodies a perfect blend of experienced players and promising young talents, giving us the versatility and energy required to tackle the challenges ahead. Our focus has been on building a cohesive team that can adapt to different playing styles and situations, and I believe we have achieved that,” he added.

Indian Men's Hockey Team for Paris 2024 Olympics:

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