Hockey India announces 18-member India A team for Australian Hockey League 2017 (Men)

New Delhi, 20th September 2017: Hockey India today announced the India A Team to participate in the Australian Hockey League 2017 (Men) starting 28th September 2017 in Perth.

The team will be led by Goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya and Amit Rohidas will shoulder the responsibility of Vice Captain.

The team will feature the likes of goalkeeper Krishan B Pathak, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Gurinder Singh, Anand Lakra, Baljit Singh and Vikramjit Singh in defence. Harjeet Singh, Ashish Kumar Topno, Hardik Singh, Santa Singh and Nilakanta Sharma will be the mainstays of the midfield. The forward line will be led by Armaan Qureshi who will be accompanied by Mohd Umar, Simranjit Singh, Affan Yousuf and Talwinder Singh.

This will be the second consecutive season that teams from India and New Zealand will feature in the Australian Hockey League. There will be 10 teams in the tournament including defending Champions Victoria, Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, New Zealand and India A Team. As the country’s premier domestic hockey tournament, the Australian Hockey League sees a wide range of top class athletes – including players from the Kookaburras take to the field to compete for their home State or Territory.

“Playing at the Australian Hockey League (AHL) will be a great exposure for the team as it is one of the most competitive league events played. We hope the boys make the most of the opportunity they get while playing against some of the best players from Australia,” said David John, Director, High Performance, Hockey India.

India A Team

Goalkeepers:
1.     Vikas Dahiya (Captain)
2.     Krishan B Pathak

Defenders:
3.     Amit Rohidas (Vice Captain)
4.     Nilam Sanjeep Xess
5.     Gurinder Singh
6.     Anand Lakra
7.     Baljit Singh
8.     Vikramjit Singh

Midfielders:
9.     Harjeet Singh
10.   Ashish Kumar Topno
11.   Hardik Singh
12.   Santa Singh
13.   Nilakanta Sharma

Forwards:
14.   Armaan Qureshi
15.   Mohd Umar
16.   Simranjit Singh
17.   Affan Yousuf
18.   Talwinder Singh

India have been placed in Pool B alongside Western Australia, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Australian Central Territory and will play their opening match of the tournament against Western Australia on Friday September 29, 2017.