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Sanjay to lead India hockey team on New Zealand tour

Olympic bronze medallist Sanjay captains a 20-member youthful squad on a three-match series from November 15 to 23.

By , Editor

· 2 min read

New Zealand hockey team
New Zealand hockey team (file photo) Photo: Diljit Singh Bahra / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Sanjay will lead India on a three-match hockey tour of New Zealand from November 15 to 23, marking 100 years of sporting ties between the countries. Matches will be held at the Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium in Auckland on November 19, 21 and 22.

Key takeaways

  • Sanjay named captain of India's men's hockey team for New Zealand tour
  • Tour runs from November 15 to 23 and commemorates 100 years of sporting ties
  • Three matches scheduled at Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium, Auckland
  • 20-member squad mixes Under-21 players and India A core members
  • Craig Fulton is chief coach; Dilip Tirkey is Hockey India president

Olympic bronze medallist Sanjay will captain a young Indian men's hockey team on a three-match tour of New Zealand from November 15 to 23, marking 100 years of sporting ties between the two countries. Hockey India announced the 20-member squad on Monday. The squad comprises a mix of emerging Under-21 players and members of the current India A core, providing young talents with an opportunity to gain international exposure.

Historical context

The tour commemorates the historic 1926 visit of an Indian Army hockey team, featuring the legendary Major Dhyan Chand, which became the first Indian team from any sport to tour New Zealand. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said the tour would celebrate a century of sporting friendship while providing young players with an opportunity to showcase their potential.

Squad details

The squad features goalkeepers Mohith HS and Pawan. The defence will be marshalled by captain Sanjay alongside Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Sharda Nand Tiwari, Talem Priyobarta, Anmol Ekka and Yashdeep Siwach. The midfield comprises Angad Bir Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Rabichandra Singh, Vishnukant Singh, Manmeet Singh, Rosan Kujur and Venkatesh Kenche. Ajeet Yadav, Uttam Singh, Karthi Selvam, Arshdeep Singh and Araijeet Singh Hundal are the five forwards in the squad.

Fixtures and objectives

India will take on New Zealand on November 19, 21 and 22 at the Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium in Auckland. Chief coach Craig Fulton said the matches would help the support staff assess the emerging players against strong opposition in home conditions. Fulton said the matches come at the right time to challenge the squad in three matches against a solid New Zealand team playing at home.

India squad by position

Position

Players

Goalkeepers

Mohith HS, Pawan

Defenders

Sanjay, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Sharda Nand Tiwari, Talem Priyobarta, Anmol Ekka,…

Midfielders

Angad Bir Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Rabichandra Singh, Vishnukant Singh,…

Forwards

Ajeet Yadav, Uttam Singh, Karthi Selvam, Arshdeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal

Sources

Topics

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