FIH Pro League: Harmanpreet Singh to lead Indian hockey squad for Spain, NZ matches

Hockey India on Tuesday named Harmanpreet Singh as the captain of the 22-member Indian men’s hockey team for the upcoming double-header matches against Spain and New Zealand in the season opener of FIH Hockey Pro League 2022-2023 to be held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Manpreet Singh has been named as his deputy.

India are scheduled to open their campaign against New Zealand on October 28 and will take on Spain on October 30. The hosts will play their second tie against New Zealand on November 4 and face Spain on November



6.

While Harmanpreet will lead the team, he will be ably assisted by the experienced midfielder Manpreet.

"We are continuing to expand the leadership skills of the group with Harmanpreet Singh being selected as captain for these first four games," chief coach Graham Reid said in a release.

The team will also see some fresh faces in Mohd Raheel Mouseen, who was part of India's victorious outing in the FIH Hockey 5's earlier this year and S Karthi, who played his maiden tournament for India at the Asia Cup in Jakarta.