Hockey India has officially unveiled the 16-member Indian Men’s Hockey Team for the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to August 11. The team selection, as announced in a press release, includes five debutants, reflecting a blend of fresh talent and seasoned veterans honed through rigorous training at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru.
Harmanpreet Singh retains his role as captain, marking his third Olympics after debuting in Rio 2016 and contributing to India’s bronze medal in Tokyo 2020. Hardik Singh assumes the vice-captaincy. Joining them are stalwarts like PR Sreejesh and Manpreet Singh, both making their fourth Olympic appearances.
The defensive lineup comprises Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Sumit, and Sanjay, while midfield duties will be handled by Raj Kumar Pal, Shamsher Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, and Vivek Sagar Prasad. The forward line features Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, and Gurjant Singh. Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Nilakanta Sharma, and Jugraj Singh have been named as alternate athletes.
Chief Coach Craig Fulton expressed confidence in the team’s capabilities, emphasizing their commitment to excellence and readiness to compete against top global teams. He highlighted the squad’s balance of experience and youthful energy, essential for adapting to diverse game scenarios.
India, placed in Pool B alongside Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland, aims for a top-four finish to advance to the Quarter-Finals. The team’s journey begins on July 27 against New Zealand, followed by matches against Argentina, Ireland, Belgium, and Australia in the group stage.
With a storied Olympic history that includes 12 medals, India’s men’s hockey team under Harmanpreet’s leadership aspires to add to their impressive tally at Paris 2024.