Bhopal: India men’s national under-18 field hockey team and India women’s national under-18 field hockey team are gearing up for an important international challenge as they prepare to face the Australian Under-18 men’s and women’s teams in separate four-match series from May 15 to May 20 in Bhopal.
The matches will be played at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central Centre and are expected to serve as a key preparatory platform ahead of the upcoming Under-18 Hockey Asia Cup, scheduled to be held later this month in Kakamigahara.
The exposure series comes immediately after the national Under-18 coaching camp conducted in Bhopal from April 15 to April 19, where players underwent intensive training aimed at sharpening their technical and tactical abilities for international competition.
Women’s Team Schedule
The Indian Under-18 women’s team will begin its campaign against the Australian Under-18 women’s side on May 15 at 7 PM. The second match will be played on May 17 at 5 PM, followed by the third encounter on May 18 at 7 PM. The fourth and final match of the series is scheduled for May 20 at 8 PM.
Men’s Team Schedule
The Indian Under-18 men’s team will also open its series on May 15, with the first match starting at 5 PM. The second fixture will be played on May 17 at 7 PM, while the third game is slated for May 18 at 5 PM. The final match of the men’s series will take place on May 20 at 10 PM.
“A Chance to Test Our Combinations” – Sardara Singh
Former Olympian Sardara Singh, who is coaching the Indian Under-18 men’s team, described the upcoming series as an essential step in the team’s development and Asia Cup preparations.
Speaking about the training camp and the importance of the Australian challenge, Sardar Singh said the players trained with complete dedication during the camp at the Sports Authority of India centre in Bhopal and showed encouraging progress.
He emphasized that the coaching staff focused heavily on strengthening the basics across all positions so the young players could adapt to the demands of modern hockey and gradually transition towards senior-level competition.
According to him, the matches against Australia will provide the players with valuable exposure to international hockey, help the coaching staff experiment with combinations, and allow the youngsters to understand the tempo and intensity of high-level competition.
Sardar Singh also noted that the series would play a major role in selecting India’s strongest possible squad for the upcoming Men’s Under-18 Asia Cup.
“Perfect Preparation for the Asia Cup” – Rani Rampal
Former Indian captain Rani Rampal, who is now coaching the Indian Under-18 women’s team, echoed similar sentiments about the significance of the series.
Rani Rampal said the camp in Bhopal had been an excellent opportunity for the coaching staff to work closely with the young players and monitor their progress. She expressed satisfaction with the way the players had improved during the training period.
She added that facing the Australian Under-18 women’s side would provide India’s young players with the ideal platform to experience top-level competition and prepare themselves mentally and tactically for the Women’s Under-18 Asia Cup.
Rani also stressed that the series would give the players an opportunity to showcase the skills and lessons they have developed during the training camp.
Important Step Towards Asian Challenge
The upcoming series is being viewed as a major developmental initiative for India’s junior hockey structure. With both the men’s and women’s teams preparing for continental competition in Japan, the exposure against a strong Australian side is expected to help identify strengths, address weaknesses, and build match confidence.
The contests are also likely to attract significant attention from hockey enthusiasts, as they offer a glimpse into the next generation of Indian hockey talent aiming to carry forward the country’s rich legacy in the sport.
As preparations intensify for the Asia Cup, the Bhopal series could prove to be a defining moment for several young players hoping to make their mark on the international stage.
