Paris Olympics: Harmanpreet Singh to lead India

Five Olympic debutants included in 16-member squad announced by HI
BENGALURU: Eleven players, who have stood on the podium at the Tokyo Olympics, and five debutants have been named as a part of the Harmanpreet Singh-led Indian men's hockey team for the Paris Games. Chief coach Craig Fulton has opted to play it safe and the line-up is mostly composed of players who won the gold at the Asian Games last year.
Seasoned PR Sreejesh, who predictably made the cut as the lone goalkeeper, will feature in his fourth Olympics alongside midfielder Manpreet Singh, while key midfielder Hardik Singh has been named Harmanpreet's deputy. Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh and Rajkumar Pal will make their maiden Olympics appearance. After ending the medal drought in 2021 at Olympics, India - currently ranked seventh in the world - have been dogged by inconsistency. The squad was named on Wednesday after a two-day selection trial last week, which was a mere formality.
Given Fulton's approach and India's performance in the recently-concluded European leg of FIH Pro League, at least a couple of progressive decisions were on the cards, but the team think-tank has adopted a traditionalist approach.
While Sreejesh picked himself based on his experience, the backline, especially in the penalty corner area, is a cause of concern. Inconsistency has sent Harmanpreet's drag flick under study Jugraj Singh into the alternative players' list. This is bound to put pressure on the skipper with Amit Rohidas and Sanjay not inspiring confidence with their recent performances. The absence of Varun Kumar, who was dropped from the probables list after being embroiled in an off field controversy, will be felt. Instances of defensive lapses and inability to soak pressure were glaring in the Pro League and the onus will be on Jarmanpreet and Sumit to man the flanks at the back.
Given his progress over the past year, one would have expected towering striker Araijeet Singh Hundal to make the cut. Instead, the team management has opted for the experience of Lalit Upadhyay and Mandeep Singh to lend support to the in-form Abhishek and Sukhjeet. The crux of this team is the stable midfield led by Manpreet and Hardik. India are in the tough Pool B, which includes Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland.
INDIA SQUAD
Goalkeeper: Sreejesh PR;
Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Sanjay;
Midfielders: Rajkumar Pal, Shamsher Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad;
Forwards: Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh;
Alternate players: Nilakanta Sharma, Jugraj Singh, Krishan Pathak.