The Indian Junior Men's Hockey team has embarked on its journey to Berlin, Germany, to participate in the highly anticipated 4 Nations Tournament, scheduled from June 21st to 25th, 2025. This competition serves as a crucial preparatory platform for the FIH Junior Men's Hockey World Cup 2025, which will be held on home soil in Chennai and Madurai later this year.
The 24-member squad, announced by Hockey India, is led by experienced drag-flicker Araijeet Singh Hundal, with defender Amir Ali serving as his deputy. The team is a blend of seasoned players and promising young talents, carefully selected to create a balanced and competitive unit.
Besides India, the tournament features strong contenders like Spain, Australia, and hosts Germany. The format will see each team play against the others in a single round-robin pool stage. The top two teams will then compete in the final, while the remaining two will play a classification match to determine the third and fourth positions.
According to reports, Araijeet Singh Hundal said before the side's departure, “This tournament is crucial for us ahead of the FIH Junior World Cup 2025. With just a few months to go, it's the perfect opportunity for us to assess our strengths, try out new combinations, and identify areas for improvement. We'll be facing some of the best hockey teams, which will allow us to test our strength and try different strategies.”
The team composition reflects a strategic approach, with Bikramjit Singh and Vivek Lakra guarding the goalposts. The defense includes Amir Ali, Talem Priyobarta, Shardanand Tiwari, Sunil P B, Anmol Ekka, Rohit, Ravneet Singh, and Sukhvinder, providing a solid backline. The midfield boasts Ankit Pal, Manmeet Singh, Rosan Kujur, Rohit Kullu, Thockchom Kingson Singh, Thounaojam Ingalemba Luwang, Adrohit Ekka, and Jeetpal, offering depth and versatility. The forward line, led by Araijeet Singh Hundal, includes Gurjot Singh, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, Dilraj Singh, Arshdeep Singh, and Ajeet Yadav, promising speed and scoring ability. Adarsh G, Prasant Barla, Chandan Yadav, and Mohammed Konain Dad have been named as standby players for the tour.
Former India goalkeeper and current junior men's coach PR Sreejesh emphasized the importance of the tournament, stating that it is a significant part of the preparation roadmap for the FIH Junior World Cup. He highlighted the opportunity to play against top-quality international opponents in a competitive setting, which is crucial for the development of the young players. Sreejesh also mentioned that the focus would be on providing the youngsters with invaluable experience against top-notch sides, rather than solely focusing on results.
The Indian team is scheduled to play its first match against the host nation, Germany, on June 21st, followed by matches against Australia on June 22nd and Spain on June 24th. All matches will be held at TC 1899 Blau Weiß, Berlin. The team's performance in this tournament will provide valuable insights into their strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to fine-tune their strategies and combinations before the Junior World Cup.
