Harmanpreet Singh, the drag-flicker, will lead a 27-member strong Indian team in a five-match away hockey Test series against Australia. Chief coach Craig Fulton has opted to include almost the entire core group of probables undergoing training in Bhubaneswar.
Scheduled to depart for Australia on April 1, India will play their opening game on April 6, followed by matches on April 7, 10, 12, and 13. All games will be held in Perth.
This tour against one of the best hockey-playing nations holds significant importance as the Indian team aims to fine-tune its preparations for this year's Paris Olympics.
The tour provides Fulton with an opportunity to assess his probable 16-member squad for the quadrennial showpiece event.
But having said that, ahead of the Paris Olympics the Indians will have another important assignment in the Belgium leg of the Pro League in May, which will give Fulton more options.
“This will be a very important tour for us as it will not only ascertain the level we are at and the areas we want to get better ahead of the Paris Olympics but this is also an important tournament for the players,” Fulton said in a Hockey India release
