After putting up a forgettable performance in the Rourkela leg of the Pro League, where they lost all four matches, the Indian men’s hockey team will be hoping to make a better showing during the Hobart, leg starting with their opener against Spain on Saturday. The team will be led by Hardik Singh after regular skipper Harmanpreet Singh was rested for personal reasons. Once again the focus will be on the youngsters as coach Craig Fulton looks to prepare the team for the two major events later this year, the Asian Games and the World Cup.
While Amandeep Lakra and Aditya Arjun Lalage already had an opportunity to impress in Rourkela, Poovanna Chandura Boby, Angad Bir Singh and Maninder Singh have been added to the squad for the Hobart leg. Another youngster looking to make a mark will be goalkeeper Mohith HS. Goalkeeping remains to be one of the major areas of concern in the team. “Goalkeepers need to do well but recent performances have been worrying. At this level, small mistakes make a big difference, so it’s important they step up, regain confidence, and deliver,” said Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey. Tirkey is looking for an improved show from the established players, many of whom flattered to deceive in the four matches against Argentina and Belgium recently. “The experienced and star players need to be consistent and take more responsibility. They have the experience and quality, and the team looks to them in difficult moments. It’s time that they deliver when the pressure is highest,” added Tirkey. Hardik is looking forward to leading the team in Harmanpreet’s absence. “While we will certainly miss Harmanpreet’s presence on the pitch, his absence provides a valuable opportunity for the rest of the group to step up and take charge,” said the senior midfielder. “As a team, we have reviewed our recent matches, learned our lessons, and are entering Hobart with a highly positive and aggressive mindset,” he added. They will certainly need all of that in their opener against Spain, who have troubled them in recent times. Spain however, like India, have lost all their matches in the Pro League so far. Besides taking on Spain twice, India will also play two matches against Australia.