India has named a 20-member squad for the FIH men’s hockey World Cup. The selection matters because squad composition, captaincy, and omission of in-form players are central to how elite sporting bodies balance performance, experience, and available slots.
What happened
The Indian men's hockey squad will be led by Harmanpreet Singh, the drag-flick specialist who captained India to the Olympic bronze at Paris 2024. The squad includes veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh for experience and is described as a mix of established players and in-form younger players.
India’s hockey setup has increasingly relied on a performance-based pool built through international exposure such as the Pro League and major tournament experience. The captaincy of Harmanpreet Singh continues the emphasis on experienced match-winners in high-pressure tournaments.
What changed now
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