The 16-team match starts on January 13, with the general scheduled for January 29. It might be hosted by means of two towns in Odisha — Rourkela and Bhubaneswar.
The No.6-ranked India had been clubbed in Pool D along England, Spain and Wales. The hosts will open their marketing campaign towards the Spaniards on January 13 in Rourkela on the new, purpose-built Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium.
The core-group of 33 gamers have been put via a two-day variety trial on the SAI Center in Bengaluru to pick out the squad that might be anticipated to finish India’s 47-year look forward to every other World Cup triumph. India clinched its one and best World Cup long ago in 1975.
Odisha defender Amit Rohidas might be Harmanpreet’s deputy, whilst PR Sreejesh will proceed to protect the put up in his fourth World Cup look — 3rd on house soil.
The go back of Vivek Sagar Prasad within the midfield, which might be led by means of former skipper Manpreet Singhis essentially the most welcome information for the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalists.
Vivek neglected the hot excursion of Australia in addition to the Pro League because of an ankle harm.
Veteran striker Akashdeep Singh’s just right type of past due has earned him the nod within the forward-line, which may even have World Cup debutants Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh.
Rajkumar Pal and drag-flicker Jugraj Singh are the 2 change plyers, who might be on standby.
“The World Cup is the most important ‘Hockey Only’ tournament there is,” mentioned trainer Graham Reid.
“A home World Cup puts extra importance and extra pressure on this event like no other. Every country chooses the best team they believe is available to them at the time and tries to provide their team with the best preparation they can.
“We have additionally attempted to do each with the choice of our Indian World Cup group, opting for a mix of skilled and thrilling younger gamers who can give one thing particular.”
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Reid added: “We have additionally had nice preparation over the past two months, together with a house Pro League collection and an overly tricky excursion to Australia towards the arena’s No. 1 (aspect). We are taking a look ahead to attending to Odisha and placing the completing touches to our arrangements for what is going to be a thrilling and difficult match forward.”
INDIA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Krishan Bahadur Pathak, PR Sreejesh
Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Surender Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh (Captain), Varun Kumar, Amit Rohidas (Vice Captain), Nilam Sanjeep Xess
Midfielders: Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Shamsher Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Akashdeep Singh
Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh
Alternate Players (Standbys): Rajkumar Pal, Jugraj Singh
(Inputs: Hockey India Press Release)