In a strategic move to enhance bench strength ahead of the busy international season, Hockey India (HI) has announced the India A squad for its upcoming Europe tour, with young drag-flicker Sanjay appointed as captain. The team will depart next week to play a series of matches against Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, offering exposure to the country’s next-generation talents.
🏑 Purpose Of The Europe Tour
The Europe tour is part of HI’s structured development programme designed to:
- Give international match experience to the India A core group.
- Identify backup options for the senior team.
- Prepare the upcoming pool for the 2026 Asian Games and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
🔎 Full India A Squad For Europe Tour
| Player | Position | State Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Sanjay (C) | Defender | Haryana |
| Manjeet | Midfielder | Punjab |
| Abhishek Lakra | Defender | Odisha |
| Araijeet Singh Hundal | Forward | Punjab |
| Sudeep Chirmako | Forward | Odisha |
| Yashdeep Siwach | Midfielder | Haryana |
| Sharda Nand Tiwari | Defender | UP |
| Boby Singh Dhami | Forward | Punjab |
| Mohit | Goalkeeper | Haryana |
| Pawan | Goalkeeper | Punjab |
| Uttam Singh | Forward | UP |
| Vishnukant Singh | Midfielder | Jharkhand |
| Jugraj Singh | Defender | Punjab |
| S Karthi | Forward | Tamil Nadu |
| Rohit | Defender | Haryana |
| Rajinder Singh | Midfielder | Punjab |
| Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem | Midfielder | Manipur |
| Amandeep | Forward | Punjab |
🗣️ HI High Performance Director Comments
David John, HI’s High Performance Director, stated:
“The Europe tour will be crucial for testing tactical flexibility, player temperament, and technical adaptability. Sanjay has shown leadership qualities and consistency as a drag-flicker and defender.”
🔬 Why Sanjay Was Chosen As Captain
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | Defender / Drag-flicker |
| Key Skill | Fast drag-flick conversion |
| Past Leadership | Led junior India team in Asia Cup |
| Performance | Top scorer in 2021 Junior World Cup for India |
🔎 Recent Performance Snapshot Of Sanjay
| Tournament | Goals Scored | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| FIH Pro League 2025 | 4 | Defensive interceptions, penalty corners |
| Senior Nationals | 8 | Drag-flick goals, clean tackles |
| Sultan of Johor Cup (Junior) | 6 | Captain, led to final |
🏆 Match Schedule For Europe Tour
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| July 10 | Belgium A | Antwerp |
| July 12 | Belgium A | Antwerp |
| July 15 | Germany A | Hamburg |
| July 17 | Germany A | Hamburg |
| July 20 | Netherlands A | Amsterdam |
| July 22 | Netherlands A | Amsterdam |
All matches will be streamed live on Hockey India’s YouTube and app platforms.
🔬 Key Focus Areas For The Tour
- Penalty Corner Conversion:
Developing backup drag-flickers to support senior team specialists Harmanpreet Singh and Amit Rohidas. - Midfield Rotation:
Testing young midfielders like Manjeet and Vishnukant Singh for quick ball distribution under European press. - Defensive Structure:
Adapting zonal marking and tackling under high-pressure matches. - Forward Line Efficiency:
Evaluating finishing by forwards like Araijeet Singh and Uttam Singh against top European defences.
🗣️ Coach BJ Kariappa’s Views
“Europe is tactically the most demanding hockey region. These matches will show us which players are ready for direct senior team integration.”
🔬 Indian Hockey’s Depth Building Strategy
| Tier | Team | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | India Senior Team | Compete in Pro League, Asian Games, Olympics |
| Tier 2 | India A | Backup pool for seniors, test bench strength |
| Tier 3 | Junior Teams | Under-21 development, Junior World Cups |
🏅 Recent Major Achievements Of India A Players
| Player | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Araijeet Singh Hundal | Top scorer, Senior Nationals |
| Abhishek Lakra | Best Defender, Sultan of Johor Cup |
| Manjeet | Midfield leader, Junior Asia Cup winner |
| Mohit (GK) | Best Goalkeeper, Senior Nationals |
🗣️ Senior Players React
Harmanpreet Singh (India captain):
“India A tours are essential. We were in this setup once, and it builds international temperament.”
PR Sreejesh (Senior goalkeeper):
“Players like Mohit and Pawan will learn nuances of goalkeeping against European strikers. Exposure is key.”
🔮 Upcoming Tournaments For India Hockey
| Tournament | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Asia Champions Trophy | August 2025 | Senior team |
| FIH Pro League Finals | September 2025 | Senior team |
| Junior World Cup | December 2025 | Under-21 team |
The Europe tour also indirectly prepares India A players to step up if injuries occur in the senior squad.
🏦 Funding & Sponsorship
| Source | Contribution (INR Crore) |
|---|---|
| Sports Authority of India | ₹4.5 |
| Odisha Govt. (Hockey sponsor) | ₹2 |
| Hockey India | ₹1.5 |
The total budget for the Europe tour is around ₹8 crore, covering travel, logistics, nutrition, recovery, and match organisation.
💡 Key Takeaways
- Sanjay appointed as captain of the India A squad for Europe tour.
- The team plays six matches against Belgium, Germany, and Netherlands A teams.
- Focus areas include penalty corner conversion, defensive depth, and forward finishing.
- The tour is crucial for bench strength building ahead of major tournaments like the Asian Games and 2028 Olympics.
📌 Disclaimer
This news report is based on official releases from Hockey India, player interviews, and upcoming tour schedules. For live updates and match results, visit Hockey India’s official website or app.
