India rest Harmanpreet Singh and other seniors for NZ tour, name captain Sanjay

Finally, the transition seems set for Indian hockey to make the journey to the Olympics in 2028. Team India has decided to name a young side consisting of Harmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh and more rested for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

Sanjay will lead the young team for the three-Test series from November 19 to 22. Apart from the defender, Vishnukant Singh, Angad Bir Singh and Aditya Arjun Lalage are the only two from the Asian Champions Trophy winning team to retain their place in the team.

The decision comes after Fulton indicated making changes to the page after the senior team played the Hockey World Cup, Asian Games and ACT in three months.

The tour pays tribute to a landmark in the history of Indian hockey, commemorating 100 years since the Indian Army hockey squad led by the legendary Major Dhyan Chand traveled to New Zealand in 1926. It was the first ever overseas tour of New Zealand by an Indian team in any sport.

The 20-member Hockey India squad unveiled on Monday features a mix of promising under-21 prospects and players from the current India A squad. The tour will offer the youngsters valuable international experience and an opportunity to test themselves against foreign opposition.

“The squad is a mix of some upcoming Under-21 players and the core of India’s current Group A. These matches come at the right time to challenge the team in three matches against a solid New Zealand team playing at home,” Fulton said.

INDIA SQUAD FOR NEW ZEALAND TOUR

Mohith HS, Pawan, Talem Priyobarta, Sanjay (c), Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Sharda Nand Tiwari, Anmol Ekka, Yashdeep Siwach, Angad Bir Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Rabichandra Singh, Vishnukant Singh, Manmeet Singh, V Rosant Kujuem Singh, Karthi Selvam, Arshdeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal.

INDIA VS NEW ZEALAND: SCHEDULE

November 19, Thursday – 11:00 AM IST

November 21, Saturday – 8:30 AM IST

22 November, Sunday – 6:30 AM IST

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