3 months ago
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Outplayed astatine home, the Indian men’s hockey squad would beryllium anxious to bounce backmost and marque a caller start nether caller skipper Hardik Singh erstwhile it begins the FIH Pro League’s overseas limb with a crippled against Spain successful Hobart connected Saturday (February 21, 2026).
The Hobart limb of the series, which besides features hosts Australia, volition beryllium held till February 25 astatine the Tasmania Hockey Centre.
The caller Rourkela limb proved to beryllium a achy learning curve for the Indians with losses to Argentina and Belgium. Regular skipper Harmanpreet Singh has taken a interruption to invited his 2nd kid from the upcoming clutch of matches.
The squad views these fixtures arsenic a captious accidental to trial combinations, refine structure, and physique momentum up of the upcoming FIH World Cup and the consequent Asian Games. After the campaign-opener against Spain, a high-octane clash against Australia is lined up for Sunday.
India volition look Spain again connected February 24 earlier concluding the limb with a last lucifer against Australia connected February 25.
India and Spain person been evenly-matched successful their past 10 encounters, claiming 4 regularisation wins each, alongside 2 draws that India went connected to triumph successful shootouts.
Against Australia, high-scoring play has been a constant. The hosts clasp the statistical borderline successful their past 10 meetings with six wins to India’s 2 (and 2 draws).
Two-time Olympic bronze medallist Hardik volition pb the broadside that besides features young players similar Amandeep Lakra and Manmeet Singh, some of whom are looking to physique connected their caller elder debuts.
Rising stars specified arsenic Angad Bir Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, and Aditya Arjun Lalage volition besides beryllium anxious to beryllium their mettle successful the guardant line.
Match starts: 12 noon (IST).
