Hockey India name 23-member Indian squad for European tour

New Delhi:

Hockey India on Wednesday named a 23-member strong Indian squad for a 25-day European tour, starting later this month, where Spaniard Jose Brasa will make his debut as the national team coach.

Dragflicker Sandeep Singh has been retained as the captain of the side for the tour, where India will play a series of 12 Test matches against England, Belgium, Spain and Holland.

India is scheduled to play four Tests against England from July 27 to August 2 in Birmingham after which they will head straight to Belgium for three Tests from August 4-7 in Antwerp, followed by three matches against Spain (August 9-12) in Terassa and two games against Holland (August 14-16) in Amstelveen.

The 23-member team consists of two goalkeepers, two defenders, eight midfielders and 11 forwards.

The team will be accompanied by nine-member strong support staff, which, apart from chief coach Brasa, includes Harendra Singh and Romes James as coach and assistant coach.

The Team:

Goalkeepers: Adrian D'Souza, Baljit Singh;

Defenders: Sandeep Singh (Capt), V Raghunath.

Midfielders: Gurbaj Singh, Vikram Pillay, Prabodh Tirkey, Sardar Singh, Ajitesh Roy, Ignace Tirkey, VS Vinaya, Dhananjay Mahadhik.

Forwards: Tushar Khandker, Shivendra Singh, Rajpal Singh, Arjun Halappa, Prabhjot Singh, Gurwinder Singh Chandi, Hari Prasad, SV Sunil, Bharat Chikara, Ravi Pal Singh, Birendra Lakra.

Officials: Jose Brasa (Chief Coach), Harendra Singh (Coach), Romeo James (Assistant Coach), Jesus Garcia Pallares (Human Performance Analyst), Lt Col B K Nayak (Doctor), Pradip Dutta (Trainer), Shrikant Iyengar (Physiotherapist), BR Barafsingh (Masseur), Jagbir Singh (Manager).

Schedule:
27 Jul 1st Test India v England,
29 Jul 2nd Test India v England
31 Jul 3rd Test India v England,
2 Aug 4th Test v England,
4 Aug 1st Test India v Belgium,
5 Aug 2nd Test India v Belgium,
7 Aug 3rd Test India v Belgium,
9 Aug 1st Test India v Spain,
10 Aug 2nd Test India v Spain,
12 Aug 3rd Test India v Spain,
14 Aug 1st Test India v Holland,
16 Aug 2nd Test India v Holland.