FIH Pro League preview: Indian players set to return to the international circuit

After a successful Hockey India League, the top Indian players will now head for an international challenge on their home field at the Bhubaneswar leg of the FIH Pro League, starting on January 15.

Both the Indian men's and women's teams will begin their campaigns in the sixth season of the FIH Pro League tomorrow. Each team will play eight matches over a span of 10 days.

The men's team will play two matches each against Spain, Germany, Ireland, and England, while the women's team will compete against England, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands.

The winner of the league will also earn a direct spot for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium in August 2026.

Team Squad

The Indian women's team, led by Salima Tete, will be aiming for a positive start to the campaign after a disappointing last season. The squad has a good mix of young and experienced players.

Indian star forward Vandana Katariya has also returned to the team after an impressive WHIL season with the Rarh Bengal Tigers. She, alongside Lalremsiami, will lead the Indian forward line.

They will also have the support of drag-flicker Deepika, last season’s top Indian goal scorer, along with Baljeet Kaur and Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, who impressed in the recently concluded Women's Hockey India League.

In defense, the team will rely on captain Salima Tete alongside experienced players like Navneet Kaur and Udita.

Women's Team:

Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam, Nikki Pradhan, Sushila Chanu, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Jyoti Chhatri, and Jyoti, Vaishnavi Phalke, Neha, Salima Tete (C), Manisha Chauhan, Sunelita Toppo, Lalremsiami, Sharmila Devi, and Baljeet Kaur, Navneet Kaur (VC), Sangita Kumari, Vandana Katariya, Deepika, Preeti Dubey, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Beauty Dungdung, and Mumtaz Khan.

Men's Team:

Krishan Pathak, Suraj Karkera, Princedeep Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh (C), Sumit, Sanjay, Jugraj Singh, Nilam Xess, Varun Kumar, Yashdeep Siwach, Rajkumar Pal, Shamsher Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Vivek Prasad, Nilakanta Sharma, Moirangthem Singh, Rajinder Singh, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Boby Dhami, Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh, Araijeet Hundal, Uttam Singh, Angad Singh, Arshdeep Singh.

The Indian men's team is led by star drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh, who will also be the team's key goalscorer, given his prowess in penalty corners.

Jugraj Singh, the top scorer of HIL 2024-25, will provide strong support to the skipper in the drag-flicking department, having showcased his abilities during a brilliant run in the Hockey India League.

Experienced players like Mandeep Singh, Gurjant, and Abhishek will be the ones to watch in the attacking front, with rising stars such as Araijeet Singh and Boby Dhami providing additional firepower.

Men's Team Schedule (In IST)

15th January - India Vs Spain -7:30 PM

16th January - India Vs Spain - 7:30 PM

18th January - India Vs Germany -7:30 PM

19th January - India Vs Germany - 5:15 PM

21st January - India Vs Ireland - 7:30 PM

22nd January - India Vs Ireland - 7:30 PM

24th January - India Vs England - 7:30 PM

25th January - India Vs England - 7:30 PM

Women's Team Schedule (In IST)

15th January - India Vs England - 5:15 PM 

16th January - India Vs England - 5:15 PM

18th January - India Vs Spain - 5:15 PM

19th January - India Vs Spain - 7:30 PM

21st January - India Vs Germany - 5:15 PM

22nd January - India Vs Germany - 5:15 PM

24th January - India Vs Netherlands - 5:15 PM

25th January - India Vs Netherlands - 5:15 PM

Where to Watch

All FIH Pro League matches will be live-streamed on the online platform Hotstar.

In addition, the Indian matches will be broadcast on the Star Sports Select 2 and Star Sports 3 channels.