Indian hockey team to play three-match series against Bangladesh

New Delhi, August 4, 2014: Indian Men’s Hockey team will leave for Dhaka to play a three-match series against Bangladesh commencing on August 6. The series will provide international exposure to the young players just before the upcoming Asian Games to be held in Korea from September 19 to October 4.

While preparations are warming up for the Asian Games 2014, considerable practice and induction is mandatory to ensure a creditable performance. In this regard, the core probables for the Asian Games team will find the series an appropriate opportunity to test their skills against an international opponent. The performance of players during this series will help selectors and coaches to select the best team for the Asian Games 2014.

The team will be captained by the experienced defender Vickram Kanth while midfielder S K Uthappa will be the vice-captain.

The matches are scheduled to take place in Dhaka on 6th, 8th and 9th August 2014. The team will depart for Dhaka, Bangladesh on 5th August and return back on 10th August.

Speaking on the upcoming series, Dr. Narinder Batra, Secretary General, Hockey India said, “We feel that while one unit of the core probables for Asian Games has gained experience from the XX Commonwealth Games where they won the Silver medal, this set of players will also have an opportunity to familiarise themselves in an international environment. Bangladesh has some very competent players and it will be good to play against them to review our own capabilities.”

“The experience of playing under pressure on an international platform always adds to the skills of the players and even helps in identifying the areas where the player lacks and the training required thereafter. This three-match series will help the team to get in rhythm according to the international requirements of playing away from home and even working upon the concerned areas henceforth,” he added.

Team:

Goalkeepers

1.     Harjot Singh
2.     Sushant Tirkey

 Defenders

3.     Gurmail Singh
4.     Harbir Singh Sandhu
5.     Gurjinder Singh
6.     Vickram Kant (Captain)
7.     Vikas Pillay
8.     Gurinder Singh 

Midfielders

9.     S. K. Uthappa (Vice-Captain)
10.  Jasjit Singh
11.  Devinder Sunil Walmiki
12.  Satbir Singh
13.  Harjeet Singh 

Forwards
14.  Affan Yousuf
15.  Yuvraj Walmiki
16.  Nithin Thimmaiah
17.  Talwinder Singh
18.  Lalit Kumar Upadhyay

Hockey India Press release