India rest Harmanpreet and other seniors as Sanjay is named captain for New Zealand three-Test tour

India have rested Harmanpreet Singh and several senior players and named Sanjay captain for a three-Test tour of New Zealand scheduled from November 19 to 22. Hardik Singh is among the other established players omitted from the touring party.

Finally, the Indian hockey transition seems to be ready to take place as the road to the 2028 Olympics begins. Apart from the defender, Vishnukant Singh, Angad Bir Singh and Aditya Arjun Lalage are the only two from the victorious Asian Champions Trophy squad to have retained their place in the side. The selection produces a largely young squad to travel to New Zealand.

The change follows comments from Fulton, who hinted at making alterations after the senior team completed the hockey World Cup, Asian Games and ACT in the space of three months. The tour also pays tribute to a landmark moment in Indian hockey history, marking 100 years since an Indian Army hockey side led by Major Dhyan Chand travelled to New Zealand in 1926; that was the first-ever overseas tour of New Zealand by an Indian team from any sport.

Hockey India unveiled a 20-member squad on Monday that mixes promising Under-21 players with members of the existing India A set-up. The tour is intended to give the youngsters international exposure and a chance to test themselves against overseas opposition. "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.

Mohith HS, Pawan, Talem Priyobarta, Sanjay (c), 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 make up the 20-member touring squad.

The three-Test series schedule is Nov 19, Thursday – 11:00 am IST; Nov 21, Saturday – 8:30 am IST; and Nov 22, Sunday – 6:30 am IST. The series opens on Nov 19 at 11:00 am IST.