Hockey India has announced the 18-member Indian junior men’s hockey team for the upcoming men’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 that will be held in Salalah, Oman from May 23 to June 1. This is a qualifying event for the forthcoming FIH Junior Men’s World Cup in Malaysia in December. India is grouped in pool A along with Pakistan, Japan, Thailand, and Chinese Taipei while Korea, Malaysia, Oman, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan are grouped in pool B.
The team features an experienced mix of players who have played in the previous edition of the FIH Junior World Cup in 2021 and the 10th Sultan of Johor Cup 2022 where India clinched the title. Uttam Singh is the captain with Boby Singh Dhami as the vice-captain of the squad. Mohith HS and Himwaan Sihag are named as goalkeepers while Shardanand Tiwari, Rohit, Amandeep Lakra, Amir Ali, and Yogember Rawat will form India’s defense.
The midfield will see Vishnukant Singh joined by Rajinder Singh, Poovanna CB, Amandeep, and Sunit Lakra while Boby Singh Dhami, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Aditya Lalage, Uttam Singh, Sudeep Chirmako, and Angad Bir Singh have been named in the forward line. Indian junior men’s coach CR Kumar said that the team is well prepared for the tournament and has gone through two preparatory and two competition cycles which have helped the players gain the right amount of exposure.
The team has also gained ample experience playing matches against the senior team based out of the same camp in Bengaluru. The coach stated that winning the Sultan of Johor Cup was a big motivating factor for the team. The squad is enthusiastic and aims to finish on top.
