Asian Games 2023: India announce hockey squads; Akashdeep, Karthi miss out

In a significant shuffle, the Indian men's hockey team for the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, has been unveiled with seasoned forward Akashdeep Singh and emerging talent Karthi Selvam being omitted. However, experienced campaigner Lalit Upadhyay has staged a return to the 18-member squad.

Hockey India selectors have made three exclusions from the Asian Champions Trophy-winning roster, releasing Akashdeep, Karthi, and defender Jugraj Singh.

The team will maintain drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh as the captain and midfielder Hardik Singh as the vice-captain for the Asian Games. Replacing Jugraj is Sanjay, while Lalit and Abhishek have taken the spots vacated by Akashdeep and Karthi.

The squad is fortified with goalkeeping prowess, featuring veteran PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak.

Comprising two goalkeepers, the contingent bound for the Asian Games comprises six defenders, five midfielders, and an equal number of forwards.

Simultaneously, the Indian women's hockey team for the Asian Games will be led by goalkeeper Savita Punia.

Among those left out, experienced players Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Baljeet Kaur, and Jyoti Chhatri, who participated in the Germany and Spain tour last month, were not included.

The official announcement of both teams was made during a special send-off event orchestrated by Hockey India for the Asian Games-bound squads.

In the men's 12-team competition, India finds itself in Pool A, accompanied by reigning Asian Games champions Japan, arch-rivals Pakistan, neighbors Bangladesh, Singapore, and Uzbekistan. Pool B comprises Korea, Malaysia, China, Oman, Thailand, and Indonesia.

On the other hand, the Indian women's team, silver medalists in the 2018 Asian Games, belongs to Pool A, along with Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The defending champions Japan, hosts China, Thailand, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia populate Pool B.

The men's team will commence their journey against Uzbekistan on September 24, while the women's team will kick off their campaign against Singapore on September 27.

Hockey squads for Asian Games:

Men's team: PR Sreejesh, Krishan Pathak, Varun Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Sanjay, Sumit, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh (vice-captain), Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Shamsher Singh, Abhishek, Gurjant Singh, Mandeep Singh, Sukhjeet Singh and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay.

Women's team: Savita (captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam, Deepika, Lalremsiami, Monika, Navneet Kaur, Neha, Nisha, Sonika, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Deep Grace Ekka (vice-captain), Vandana Katariya, Sangita Kumari, Vaishnavi Vittal Phalke, Nikki Pradhan, Sushila Chanu, Salima Tete.

(With PTI inputs)