Hockey India Names U-18 Squads for Crucial Australia Series

India’s next generation of hockey stars is ready to take centre stage. Hockey India on Thursday announced the 24 member U 18 men’s and women’s squads for the upcoming home series against Australia, a crucial assignment before the prestigious U 18 Asia Cup in Japan later this month.

The four match series will be played at the SAI Centre in Bhopal from May 15 to 20 , and is expected to provide both teams with valuable international exposure against one of the toughest hockey nations in the world.

The selected players earned their places after an intense week long national coaching camp where an initial pool of 42 players was evaluated on fitness, consistency, game awareness, and tactical adaptability. The camp helped coaches identify players capable of handling the pressure and speed of international hockey.

For the men’s side, talented forward Ketan Kushwaha has been entrusted with captaincy responsibilities. The women’s team will be led by promising striker Sweety Kujur , who impressed the coaching staff with her leadership and maturity during the camp.

Men’s coach Sardar Singh said the Australia series will serve as a major test before the team travels to Japan for the Asia Cup.

He stated that the matches are not merely practice games but an opportunity to assess the squad’s temperament, tactical discipline, and ability to cope with high intensity hockey. He also expressed confidence in Ketan’s leadership qualities and the team’s potential.

Women’s head coach Rani Rampal echoed similar views, saying the series will give the coaching staff a clearer understanding of the team’s strengths and areas requiring improvement before the continental tournament.

According to her, playing against a quality side like Australia will help the young Indian players gain confidence and prepare mentally for the challenges awaiting them at the Asia Cup in Kakamigahara, Japan , scheduled from May 29 to June 6 .

With several emerging talents getting an opportunity to represent the country, the Bhopal series is being viewed as an important stepping stone in shaping the future of Indian hockey.