India have announced a youthful 20-member squad for their upcoming three-Test hockey tour of New Zealand, with regular captain Harmanpreet Singh, vice-captain Hardik Singh and several other senior players rested. Defender Sanjay will lead the young Indian side as head coach Craig Fulton begins preparing the team for the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The squad, announced by Hockey India on Monday, features a combination of promising Under-21 players and members of the existing India A setup. The three-match series will take place from November 19 to 22, providing younger players with an opportunity to gain international experience against New Zealand on their home turf.
The decision to rest several established players comes after a demanding international schedule. India’s senior team has competed in the Hockey World Cup, Asian Games and Asian Champions Trophy within a period of three months. Fulton had previously indicated that changes to the squad could be expected following the busy run of competitions.
Sanjay to Captain Young Indian Hockey Team Against New Zealand
With Harmanpreet Singh and other senior players rested, Sanjay has been handed the responsibility of captaining India’s 20-member squad. The defender will lead a relatively inexperienced group as the coaching staff looks to assess younger talent ahead of the next Olympic cycle.
Among the players from India’s victorious Asian Champions Trophy squad who have retained their places are Vishnukant Singh and Angad Bir Singh, alongside Sanjay and Aditya Arjun Lalage, according to the squad announcement.
The selection also includes several players from the Under-21 category and the India A setup. The tour is expected to give these players valuable exposure to international competition while allowing the coaching staff to evaluate their performances in a challenging away series.
Head coach Craig Fulton explained the thinking behind the selection, highlighting the balance between emerging prospects and players from the India A group.
“The squad is a blend of some upcoming under-21 players and the core of the current India A group. These matches come at the right time to challenge the squad in three matches against a solid New Zealand team playing at home,” Fulton said.
Harmanpreet Singh and Hardik Singh Among Senior Players Rested
The absence of Harmanpreet Singh and Hardik Singh is one of the major talking points from India’s squad announcement. Both players have been important members of the senior national team, but they will not feature in the upcoming New Zealand tour.
The decision comes after an intense period of international hockey, during which India participated in three major competitions within three months. Resting experienced players provides an opportunity for younger members of the squad to take on greater responsibilities and gain experience at the international level.
For Fulton, the tour also forms part of India’s preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. With the next Olympic cycle underway, giving opportunities to emerging players could help the coaching staff identify potential options for the future.
India’s New Zealand Tour Marks 100 Years Since Historic 1926 Visit
The upcoming tour carries historical significance for Indian Hockey. It marks 100 years since an Indian Army hockey team led by legendary Major Dhyan Chand travelled to New Zealand in 1926.
That historic journey was the first-ever overseas tour of New Zealand by an Indian team from any sport. The centenary provides an additional reason for the Indian team’s visit, connecting the current generation of players with an important chapter in the country’s sporting history.
The 2026 tour will also give India’s younger players the chance to experience international hockey in New Zealand, where they will face a competitive home side across three matches.
India Squad for New Zealand Hockey Tour 2026
Hockey India has selected the following 20 players for the three-Test series against New Zealand, with Sanjay leading the team:
- Mohith HS
- Pawan
- Talem Priyobarta
- Sanjay (captain)
- Nilam Sanjeep Xess
- Sharda Nand Tiwari
- Anmol Ekka
- Yashdeep Siwach
- Angad Bir Singh
- Aditya Arjun Lalage
- Rabichandra Singh
- Vishnukant Singh
- Manmeet Singh
- Rosan Kujur
- Venkatesh Kenche
- Ajeet Yadav
- Uttam Singh
- Karthi Selvam
- Arshdeep Singh
- Araijeet Singh Hundal
India vs New Zealand Hockey Series 2026: Full Schedule
India will play three matches against New Zealand between November 19 and November 22. All match timings are in Indian Standard Time (IST).
- First Test: November 19, Thursday – 11:00 AM IST
- Second Test: November 21, Saturday – 8:30 AM IST
- Third Test: November 22, Sunday – 6:30 AM IST
New Zealand Tour Offers Young Players an Opportunity Ahead of LA 2028
India’s decision to rest several senior players makes the New Zealand tour an important opportunity for the next generation of hockey talent. With Sanjay leading the side, the selected players will have a chance to demonstrate their abilities and compete for greater involvement in the senior national setup.
The three matches will also allow Craig Fulton and his coaching staff to assess the team’s depth and evaluate how emerging players perform against international opposition away from home.
Although the absence of experienced stars such as Harmanpreet Singh and Hardik Singh will attract attention, the tour is primarily an opportunity to build experience and prepare for the challenges ahead. As India move towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, performances from younger players could become an important part of the team’s long-term planning.
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