New Delhi: In a significant development ahead of a packed international season, Hockey India has announced a 36-member core group of probables for the senior men’s national coaching camp, marking the return of experienced players Manpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak.
The camp, currently underway at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre, began on April 20 and will continue until May 9. It forms a crucial part of preparations for major upcoming tournaments, including the FIH Hockey Pro League 2025–26 European leg and the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 to be held in Belgium and the Netherlands, along with the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.
Key Comebacks Strengthen Squad
The inclusion of Manpreet Singh—one of India’s most experienced midfielders with over 400 international caps—adds depth and leadership to the squad. Alongside him, forward Dilpreet Singh and goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak also return to the core group after missing out earlier this year.
The trio had been left out of the previous 33-member core group in January 2026 during preparations for the Pro League in Rourkela. At the time, head coach Craig Fulton had cited workload management and post-league recovery as reasons for resting several senior players.
Focus on Strategy, Fitness and Team Combination
The ongoing national camp is expected to emphasise tactical cohesion, fitness conditioning, and match-specific adaptability. Coaching staff will also work on refining team combinations and strengthening coordination across all departments—defence, midfield, and attack.
With a demanding international calendar ahead, the camp is seen as vital for building momentum and ensuring the team is competition-ready.
Balanced Squad Across Departments
The 36-member core group reflects a balanced mix of experience and emerging talent across all positions.
Goalkeepers: Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Pawan, Suraj Karkera, Mohit Honnenahalli Shashikumar, Prince Deep Singh
Defenders: Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sumit, Puvanna CB, Yashdeep Siwach, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Amandeep Lakra
Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Hardik Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Vishnukant Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Roshan Kujur, Manpreet Singh
Forwards: Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Mandeep Singh, Arijit Singh Hundal, Angadbir Singh, Uttam Singh, Selvam Karthi, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Maninder Singh, Dilpreet Singh
Building Toward a Crucial Season
The return of key players, combined with a structured training programme, is expected to boost India’s prospects in upcoming global competitions. With a renewed focus on consistency and performance, the team management is aiming to assemble its strongest possible squad.
As preparations gather pace, the national camp will play a decisive role in shaping India’s campaign in what promises to be a highly competitive international hockey season.
