Top three Indian players to watchout for in FIH Hockey World Cup 2023

Indian Hockey Team (Source: Twitter)

The 15^th edition of the Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup will be held in India from 13^th January to 29^th January 2023. The tournament will be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and at the under-construction 20,000-seat Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. The Indian team won their first and only World Cup way back in 1975 beating Pakistan in the final. After winning the bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics, the Indian team will look to win their second title at home. On that note, let’s take a look at the top three Indian players to watch out for in the Hockey World Cup:

3 PR Sreejesh

PR Sreejesh

Parattu Ravendran Sreejesh is a goalkeeper in the Indian hockey team. Regarded as one of the best in the world, he guarded the goalpost, making crucial saves that helped India reach their first-ever Olympic semi-final in 49 years in Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.

Sreejesh played a crucial role in India's win over Germany in the bronze medal play-off match at Tokyo Olympics. Germany had 13 penalty corners but with Sreejesh guarding the post, they managed to convert only one of them. Sreejesh's saving in the dying moments of the match to deny Germany a goal from a penalty corner helped India seal a 5-4 win. He was also awarded the FIH Player of the Year Awards 2020-21 for the best male goalkeeper.

2 Harmanpreet Singh

Harmanpreet Singh (Source: Twitter)

Harmanpreet Singh was the highest goalscorer for India in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 having 6 goals to his name. He has several accolades to his name such as Bronze in 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Bronze in 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, Gold in 2017 Asia Cup Dhaka, Silver in 2016 Champions Trophy London, 2018 Champions Trophy Breda, and many more. He will be seen captaining the Indian side in the 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup.

1 Manpreet Singh

Manpreet Singh (Source: Twitter)

Manpreet Singh scripted history in 2020 Tokyo Olympics as he led India to the semi-final of the event after 49 years. India failed to defeat the World No1 Belgium in the semi finals but managed to beat Germany in the Bronze Medal match by 5-4. It was India’s first Olympic medal in hockey after 41 years. Manpreet is one of the top ranked players in the game where he plays as a mid fielder.