Keen contest expected as an on-the-rise India takes on World No. 2 Germany

National capital hosts India vs Germany hockey series at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, featuring young talents and experienced players.

The national capital will witness international hockey after a decade when the Indian men take on reigning world champion Germany in a two-match bilateral series over the next two days at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

The irony of the matches taking place in a venue that saw the beginning of Indian hockey’s revival in the general consciousness 14 years ago is not lost on anyone.

India is now a two-time back-to-back Olympic medalist and ranked fifth in the world while Germany took silver at the most recent outing in Paris and is second making it a much-closer contest than ever before.

With the host struggling with a few injuries, captain Harmanpreet Singh will have Vivek Sagar Prasad as his deputy even as Hardik Singh continues to recover from his injury suffered in Paris.

Youngsters Rajinder Singh and Aditya Lalage will make their international debuts while defender and drag-flicker Varun Kumar returns to national duty after a long break.

“It’s nice to be back. I actually came here for a function with PM Modi after the Asian Games and that was really nostalgic. But now to actually play a test match, with India against Germany, is special,” coach Craig Fulton admitted. For Harmanpreet, this would be his maiden outing on this ground.

Asked about the team compositions since little is known of the German side, Fulton admitted it was a mixed bag. “It is not the same team as in Paris, there are a few younger players. But we played against a similar group in the Pro League.