Hockey India has named a 24-member Indian men’s squad for the Hobart leg of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025–26, scheduled to be held from February 20 to 25 at the Tasmania Hockey Centre in Australia. The team, led by Hardik Singh, will face Spain and hosts Australia as they look to regroup after a challenging outing in Rourkela.
The announcement comes in the wake of India’s difficult home leg, where they faced Belgium and Argentina. With crucial international tournaments later this year including the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup and the Asian Games the Hobart leg presents an opportunity to recalibrate and build rhythm against quality opposition.
Hardik Takes Charge
Experienced midfielder Hardik Singh has been entrusted with captaincy duties for the Hobart leg. A two-time Olympic bronze medallist from Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, Hardik brings composure, tactical intelligence, and high work-rate to the leadership role. Regular captain Harmanpreet Singh will miss this leg due to personal reasons.
Hardik’s appointment reflects both continuity and transition maintaining a core leadership presence while allowing newer players to integrate into the squad.
The squad retains a strong spine of senior players while continuing to expose emerging talent to top-tier competition. Among the young faces are Amandeep Lakra and Manmeet Singh, both of whom made their senior international debuts during the Rourkela leg. Their inclusion signals the management’s intent to broaden the talent pool ahead of a packed international calendar.
In goal, Suraj Karkera and Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar will share responsibilities. Both have gained valuable exposure at the international level and will be tested against high-intensity attacking units from Australia and Spain.
The defensive line is anchored by seasoned campaigners Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, and Sumit. They are joined by younger defenders Amandeep Lakra, Yashdeep Siwach, and Poovanna Chandura Boby, offering depth and flexibility at the back. In midfield, Hardik will operate alongside Vivek Sagar Prasad, Raj Kumar Pal, Sanjay, Rajinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, and Vishnu Kant Singh. This group combines creativity, ball control, and transitional pace critical elements in modern high-press hockey.
The forward unit includes established names such as Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, and Shilanand Lakra. Maninder Singh returns to the national fold, having previously featured in the 2022 Hero Asia Cup and earlier Pro League campaigns. Young attackers Araijeet Singh Hundal, Aditya Arjun Lalage, and Angad Bir Singh add speed and finishing options to the frontline.
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India’s Rourkela leg did not deliver the desired results, but it offered key insights into squad depth and tactical execution. Chief Coach Craig Fulton acknowledged both the disappointment and the developmental positives.
“After a disappointing four matches in Rourkela where the results didn’t go our way we’ve learned some good lessons and made some notable improvements. We capped three players in the process, and it was exciting to see that side of the squad develop,” Fulton said.
He emphasised that the Hobart leg will be crucial in shaping the core group for the major tournaments ahead.
“Going into Hobart, we’re aiming for improved performances and looking to finalise our squad for the World Cup and the Asian Games,” he added.
A Crucial Overseas Test
Playing in Hobart will present different tactical challenges. Australia’s structured press and Spain’s technical possession-based style will test India’s defensive organisation and midfield transitions. The conditions in Tasmania, including pace and weather variables, will also require adaptability.
For a squad in transition, this leg is less about immediate redemption and more about consistency, defensive discipline, and finishing efficiency. The exposure against two established hockey nations offers an ideal environment to refine combinations and stabilise performance levels.
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With Olympic bronze medals in recent memory and a strong global ranking position, expectations remain high. However, this phase appears focused on squad consolidation and strategic clarity rather than short-term results alone.
India Squad for Hobart Leg
Goalkeepers: Suraj Karkera, Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar
Defenders: Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, Amandeep Lakra, Yashdeep Siwach, Poovanna Chandura Boby
Midfielders: Hardik Singh (Captain), Vivek Sagar Prasad, Raj Kumar Pal, Rajinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Vishnu Kant Singh
Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, Shilanand Lakra, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Angad Bir Singh, Maninder Singh
All India matches in the Hobart leg will be broadcast live on Star Sports Khel and streamed on JioHotstar. As the Pro League caravan moves to Australia, India’s focus will be clear: regroup, respond, and rebuild momentum in a season that still holds significant stakes.
