Two players from Odisha in Indian Men’s Hockey Team for World Cup

Two players from Odisha have been selected in the 18-member Indian Men’s Hockey Team who will represent the host nation at the Odisha Hockey World Cup scheduled to begin on 28th November 2018 at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

The players are defenders Birendra Lakra and Amit Rohidas. The team will be led by Manpreet Singh while the vice-captain is Chinglensana Singh Kangujam. The Indian team, scheduled to begin their campaign against South Africa on the opening day, features PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak as goalkeepers.

Odisha’s experienced defender Birendra Lakra, who makes a comeback into the team after missing out the Hero Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat last month due to rehabilitation, will be joined by fellow Odia Amit Rohidas, Surender Kumar, Kothajit Singh and 2016 Junior World Cup winners Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar to form India’s defence with three of them specialized as dragflickers.

The team to be led by Manpreet Singh with Chinglensana Singh Kangujam as vice-captain. West Bengal to celebrate ‘Rosogolla Day’ on November 14

The midfield will see the dynamic Manpreet Singh, who played a pivotal role in India’s campaign as defending Champions at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy. Chinglensana Singh Kangujam will add to the experience in the center along with young guns Sumit, Nilakanta Sharma also of the Junior World Cup team and Hardik Singh, who made his International debut last month.

The forward line will see the experienced Akashdeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay and Junior World Cup winners Mandeep Singh, Simranjeet Singh.