Bhubaneswar: Harmanpreet Singh was on Tuesday appointed captain of the 22-member Indian men’s hockey team for the FIH Pro League matches against Spain and New Zealand in Bhubaneswar. Manpreet Singh has been appointed as the vice-captain. India will begin their campaign against New Zealand on October 28 and then take on Spain on October 30. The Indian team will play its second match against New Zealand on November 4 and against Spain on November 6.

“As we continue to develop the leadership skills of as many players as possible in the squad, Harmanpreet Singh has been appointed as captain for the first four matches,” head coach Graham Reid said in a release. The team also includes two new faces in the form of Mohammad Rahil Moussin and S Karthi. Reid said, “We have selected an experienced team for the first two matches of the Pro League.”

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The team includes goalkeepers Krishna Bahadur Pathak and PR Sreejesh. Jarmanpreet Singh, Surendra Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Mandeep Mor and Neelam Sanjeev Jess have been selected in the defence. Sumit, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Shamsher Singh, Rajkumar Pal and Mohd Raheel Mousin will man the midfield.

The front row includes Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Abhishek, S Karthi and Sukhjeet Singh. All the matches will be held at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium, which will also host the Men’s World Cup in January next year. (agency)