Hockey India announces official men's squad for New Zealand tour
The official Indian men’s hockey team for the New Zealand tour was announced today by Hockey India. They will travel to New Zealand for a six-match test series lasting between 2nd – 11th October 2015. Veteran midfielder Sardar Singh will captain the team with custodian P.R. Sreejesh as his deputy.
Of the six games in the tour, the first two will be against the New Zealand “A” team to warm up for the last four, where they will face the New Zealand senior men’s team. This tour will add to India’s preparations for the crucial World Hockey League Finals in Raipur from November 27th to December 6th, and subsequently for next year’s all-important Rio Olympics.
A demanding training camp in Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, New Delhi under team chief coach and director, high performance Roelant Oltmans, was the proving ground for the twenty-one who were named in the final squad. India, who are eighth in the world, are looking to spare no quarter against the seventh-ranked Black Sticks.
India, who are eight-time Olympics gold medallists, have concentrated especially on their penalty corners and conversions to develop a sharper offense. The Indian custodians worked on their defensive skills with South African Olympian Dave Staniforth during a three-week camp.
Oltmans had the following to say about the team’s preparations for the upcoming tournament, "The team in the last couple of weeks has worked on team coordination and passes. The idea is to convert when in the D and not lose out on those moments. The boys are looking forward to the tournament ahead and are confident of a positive show. Also Dave Staniforth recently holding a three-week goalkeeping camp has got the goalkeepers pepped up and are waiting to exhibit the learning's under the bar.”
The Indian squad for the tournament, as reported by Times Of India:
Goalkeepers: 1. PR Sreejesh (vice-captain) 2. Harjot Singh
Defenders: 3. Birendra Lakra 4. Kothajit Singh 5. VR Raghunath 6. Jasjit Singh Kular 7. Rupinder Pal Singh 8. Gurjinder Singh
Mid-fielders: 9. Sardar Singh (captain) 10. Chinglensana Singh 11. SK Uthappa 12. Satbir Singh 13. Devinder Walmiki 14. Manpreet Singh 15. Dharamvir Singh
Forwards: 16. SV Sunil 17. Ramandeep Singh 18. Akashdeep Singh 19. Mandeep Singh 20. Lalit Upadhyay 21. Nikkin Thimmaiah
Match Schedule
| Date | Local Time | Indian Time | Team | vs | Team | City |
| 2 Oct. 2015 | 13:00 | 06:30 | India | vs | New Zealand A | Auckland |
| 3 Oct. 2015 | 13:00 | 06:30 | India | vs | New Zealand A | Auckland |
| 6 Oct. 2015 | 19:00 | 12:30 | India | vs | New Zealand | Nelson |
| 7 Oct. 2015 | 19:00 | 12:30 | India | vs | New Zealand | Nelson |
| 9 Oct. 2015 | 20:00 | 13:30 | India | vs | New Zealand | Christchurch |
| 11 Oct. 2015 | 13:00 | 06:30 | India | vs | New Zealand | Christchurch |