Odisha youngsters Kujur & Lakra in Fulton’s Pro League squad

With coach Craig Fulton opting for depth of squad, as expected, in a busy season for Indian hockey, Odisha youngsters Roshan Kujur and Amandeep Lakra got their maiden call-up for the senior India team and a place in the 24-member list for the FIH Pro League matches in Rourkela, announced in New Delhi on Thursday.Having taken the onus of being his team’s go-to dragflicker this season, Hockey India League (HIL) Player-of-the-Tournament Lakra had impressed Fulton with his aggressively improved show for Hyderabad Toofans this season where he scored nine goals from PCs in 10 games.Twenty-one-year-old Kujur was a member of the Indian junior team that secured the bronze at FIH Junior World Cup 2025 in Chennai last year. He also enjoyed a breakthrough domestic season, playing a key role for eventual HIL champions Kalinga Lancers.The Odisha duo — Lakra with his dragflicks and defence, and Kujur in the midfield — will hope to replicate their HIL form at Birsa Munda Stadium in the Odisha city when India take on heavyweights Argentina and Belgium in the Feb 10-15 fixtures.The other youngsters who have also made their way in Fulton’s scheme are Arshdeep Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh and Araijeet Singh Hundal, who made a positive comeback from injury, with the South African coach sure to treat the Rourkela games as a warm-up event ahead of Hockey World Cup (Aug 14-30) and Asian Games (Sept 19-Oct 4).

While Fulton has looked to increase his options with the induction of young blood, the squad also reveals his banking on experience with Harmanpreet Singh leading the Indians as they eye the best preparation at home before two of hockey’s biggest tournaments later in the year.The goalkeeping duties will be handled by Suraj Karkera and Pawan, while the defensive unit will include Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sumit, Sanjay and Nilam Sanjeep Xess, apart from Lakra and Harmanpreet.The midfield will have Rajinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Hardik Singh and Nilakanta Sharma to offer a blend of experience and control to the creativity of youngsters Kujur and another first-time inclusion, Manmeet Singh of Punjab. Manmeet was added following a string of impressive performances at Junior World Cup and while representing HIL GC in HIL.India’s forward line comprises Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Selvam Karthi, Mandeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal and Aditya Arjun Lalage.Speaking on the squad, Fulton said, “It’s an exciting mix of youth and experience. We have young talents like Rosan, Manmeet and Amandeep coming through, while the presence of senior players, including those from the India A setup, adds valuable experience. That balance is important for us. Belgium and Argentina are quality sides, but we believe in our abilities and are focused on delivering our best performances.

”The squad: Goalkeepers: Suraj Karkera, Pawan. Defenders: Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Sanjay, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Amandeep Lakra. Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Hardik Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Rosan Kujur. Forwards: Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Selvam Karthi, Mandeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Aditya Arjun Lalage