Hobart, February 20 After a disappointing home defeat, the Indian men's hockey team will be eager to bounce back and start afresh under new captain Hardik Singh when it begins the FIH Pro League's overseas leg with a match against Spain here on Saturday.
The Hobart leg of the series, which also features hosts Australia, will be held until February 25 at the Tasmania Hockey Centre.
The recent Rourkela leg proved to be a painful learning experience for the Indians, with losses to Argentina and Belgium. Regular captain Harmanpreet Singh has taken a break to welcome his second child from the upcoming matches.
The team views these fixtures as a vital opportunity to test combinations, refine strategy, and build momentum ahead of the upcoming FIH World Cup and the subsequent Asian Games.
After the campaign opener against Spain, a high-stakes match against Australia is scheduled for Sunday.
They will face Spain again on February 24 before concluding the leg with a final match against the formidable Australian side on February 25.
India and Spain have been evenly matched in their last 10 encounters, with each team claiming four regulation wins, along with two draws that India went on to win in shootouts.
Against Australia, high-scoring matches have been the norm. The hosts hold a statistical advantage in their last 10 meetings, with six wins for India against two (and two draws).
Two-time Olympic bronze medallist Hardik will lead the side, which also features young players like Amandeep Lakra and Manmeet Singh, both of whom are looking to build on their recent senior debuts.
"It is a tremendous honour to lead the national team in a prestigious tournament like the Pro League. While we will certainly miss Harmanpreet's presence on the field, his absence provides a valuable opportunity for the rest of the group to step up and take charge," said Hardik.
"As a team, we have reviewed our recent matches, learned our lessons, and are entering Hobart with a highly positive and aggressive mindset," asserted the mid-field mainstay.
Rising stars such as Angad Bir Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, and Aditya Arjun Lalage will also be eager to prove their mettle in the forward line.
Sharing his thoughts on the young additions to the squad, Hardik said, "I am incredibly excited about the new faces joining us for this tour. Youngsters bring very fresh, fearless energy to our attacking lineup.
"They have worked exceptionally hard to earn their spots, and playing against top-tier teams like Australia and Spain is the perfect platform for them to express themselves.
"The entire group is motivated to support them, execute our plans, and play the brand of hockey India is known for."
Match starts: 12 noon (IST).
