India’s junior men’s hockey team will miss the services of striker and drag flicker Araijeet Singh Hundal at the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup as Hockey India named the 18-member squad for the tournament starting later this month in Tamil Nadu. Araijeet has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury while defender-cum-dragflicker Rohit has been named the captain.
The tall forward, who already has 21 senior caps and scored five goals, has been a prolific part of the junior part with 33 goals in 40 official Under-21 appearances. “Unfortunately, India will miss the experience and charisma of Araijeet Singh Hundal who is nursing a shoulder injury and will miss the Junior World Cup,” Hockey India said in a release.
The tournament is set to begin from 28th November to 10 December 2025 and will take place across two venues in Chennai and Madurai. The Indian team coached by legendary former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh are grouped in in Pool B along with Chile, Switzerland and Oman who have come in as replacement for Pakistan.
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The Indian junior team will be led by defender and dragflicker Rohit, who had a good show in the recent Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia where the team won a silver medal. Bikramjit Singh and Princedeep Singh are the goalkeepers picked in the squad while India’s defence will see the captain line up with experienced Amir Ali who was part of the previous edition of the Junior World Cup and adds firepower along with Anmol Ekka, Talem Priyo Barta, Sunil Palakshappa Bennur and Shardanand Tiwari.
India’s midfield will feature Ankit Pal, Adrohit Ekka, Thounaojam Ingalemba Luwang, Manmeet Singh and Rosan Kujur while the forwardline will see Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, Arshdeep Singh, Ajeet Yadav, Dilraj Singh and Gurjot – who made his Senior India debut at the Asian Champions Trophy last year in Hulunbuir, China. Ravneet Singh and Rohit Kullu have been named as alternate players.
Speaking about the team composition, Coach PR Sreejesh said, “We have selected a tried-and-tested team with most of the players having a fair knowledge on what’s required to play in a tournament of this magnitude. While their physical capabilities, skill and team-play was among the criteria for selection, one of the key aspects we have looked into is their mental ability to perform under pressure.”
“While we have had good international match exposure in the build-up to the Junior World Cup, we have also played a lot of matches with the Senior India team as we are housed in the same campus here in SAI, Bengaluru. This was a big part of our preparations and when the players do well against their senior compatriots, they automatically gain confidence. Overall, we are an upbeat side and looking to a good outing in front of home crowd,” added the double Olympic-medallist.
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Indian Junior Men’s Team for the World Cup
Goalkeepers: Bikramjit Singh, Princedeep Singh
Defenders: Rohit, Talem Priyobarta, Anmol Ekka, Amir Ali, Sunil Palakshappa Bennur, Shardanand Tiwari
Midfielders: Ankit Pal, Thounaojam Ingalemba Luwang, Adrohit Ekka, Rosan Kujur, Manmeet Singh, Gurjot Singh
Forwards: Arshdeep Singh, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, Ajeet Yadav, Dilraj Singh
Alternate Athletes: Ravneet Singh, Rohit Kullu
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