Bhubaneswar: As many as five players from Odisha have found a place in the 24-member Indian men’s hockey team for the Rourkela leg of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025-26.
Besides the ever-reliable defender Amit Rohidas, the others from Odisha to make the cut are Nilam Sanjeep Xess (defender), Amandeep Lakra (defender), Roshan Kujur (midfielder) and Shilanand Lakra (forward).
For 21-year-old Kujur, it’s his maiden call-up to the senior national team. He was a member of the Indian team that cl
inched bronze medal at the FIH Junior World Cup 2025 in Chennai.
The FIH Pro League will take place from February 10 to 15 at Rourkela’s Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium.
The Rourkela leg will feature hosts India, Argentina and Belgium.
India squad
Goalkeepers: Suraj Karkera, Pawan
Defenders: Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Sanjay, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Amandeep Lakra
Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Hardik Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Rosan Kujur
Forwards: Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Selvam Karthi, Mandeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Aditya Arjun Lalage
INDIA’S SCHEDULE
India vs Belgium – Feb 11 (7.30 pm)
India vs Argentina – Feb 12 (7.30 pm)
India vs Belgium – Feb 14 (7.30 pm)
India vs Argentina – Feb 15 (7.30 pm).