Sanjay will lead a young Indian hockey squad on the upcoming New Zealand tour. The team features twenty players aiming for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Coach Craig Fulton said, “These matches come at the right time to challenge the squad with three matches against a solid New Zealand team.”
Sanjay
KOLKATA: After the Indian men’s hockey team cruised to their sixth Asian Champions Trophy title in Mohali last week, the focus now shifts to building a squad for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. And there could be no better way to get things started than with the tour of New Zealand, where India will play three test matches as part of the centenary celebrations between the two countries. Led by Paris Olympics bronze medallist Sanjay, the 20-member squad is packed with players who are widely viewed as the next generation of the men’s national team and potential contenders for India’s campaign at the 2028 Olympics. With several seniors from the Paris cycle entering the latter stages of their careers, Hockey India has focused on building depth across positions, and the latest group reflects that approach. A blend of established young internationals and emerging talent, the squad contains players who have already featured in senior camps and age-group international tournaments over the last few years. Besides Sanjay, who has steadily developed into one of India’s most promising defenders, Nilam Sanjeep Xess and Talem Priyobarta provide a young but increasingly experienced defensive unit, while goalkeeper Mohith HS adds valuable exposure from the senior national setup. The midfield features several players long earmarked for bigger roles in the national programme. Vishnukant Singh and Angad Bir Singh have gained exposure in the senior setup, while Rosan Kujur and Venkatesh Kenche represent a mobile and energetic group.
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The forward line is perhaps the most exciting one. Uttam Singh and Araijeet Singh Hundal headline an attack rich in potential. Along with Ajeet Yadav, Karthi Selvam and Arshdeep Singh, the squad possesses significant pace and goal-scoring ability. Speaking about the squad, head coach Craig Fulton said in a statement, “The squad is a blend of some upcoming under-21 players and the core of the current India A group. These matches come at the right time to challenge the squad with three matches against a solid New Zealand team playing at home.” With Los Angeles 2028 firmly on the horizon, this group offers perhaps the clearest glimpse yet of the generation India hope to build their next Olympic campaign around.The squad:
Goalkeepers: Mohith HS, Pawan;
Defenders: Talem Priyobarta, Sanjay (c), Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Sharda Nand Tiwari, Anmol Ekka, Yashdeep Siwach;
Midfielders: Angad Bir Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Rabichandra Singh, Vishnukant Singh, Manmeet Singh, Rosan Kujur, Venkatesh Kenche;
Forwards: Ajeet Yadav, Uttam Singh, Karthi Selvam, Arshdeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal.