Sanjay to Lead Young Indian Men's Hockey Team on New Zealand Tour Celebrating 100 Years of Sporting Ties

Olympic bronze medallist Sanjay will captain a young Indian men's hockey team on a three-match tour of New Zealand from November 15 to 23, as the two nations celebrate a century of sporting relations. 

The tour will provide an important international exposure opportunity for India's emerging hockey talent while commemorating a historic chapter in the country's sporting journey. India will face New Zealand in three matches on November 19, 21 and 22 at the Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium in Auckland. Hockey India announced a 20-member squad on Monday, featuring a combination of promising Under-21 players and members of the current India A setup.

The tour carries significance beyond the three matches, as it marks 100 years since an Indian Army hockey team visited New Zealand in 1926. That historic team, which featured legendary Indian hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, became the first Indian team from any sport to tour the country.

A century later, the Indian team will return to New Zealand to celebrate the longstanding sporting connection between the two nations.

Sanjay, who was part of India's Olympic bronze medal-winning campaign, will shoulder the responsibility of leading the young squad in Auckland. The 20-member contingent reflects India's focus on developing its next generation of international hockey players. With several emerging talents included alongside players who have been part of the India A setup, the tour offers an opportunity to test their abilities against an established international opponent.

The squad features experienced young names such as Uttam Singh, Karthi Selvam, Arshdeep Singh and Araijeet Singh Hundal in the forward line. The midfield includes Vishnukant Singh, Manmeet Singh, Angad Bir Singh and Aditya Arjun Lalage, while Sanjay will be supported in defence by Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Sharda Nand Tiwari and other promising players.

The presence of these players gives the coaching staff an opportunity to assess combinations across different departments while allowing individuals to gain valuable experience in international competition.

Craig Fulton Highlights Importance of International Exposure

Chief coach Craig Fulton emphasised the importance of the New Zealand tour as an opportunity to evaluate emerging players against quality opposition. The three matches will allow the coaching and support staff to assess how the young Indian players respond to the demands of international hockey, particularly when competing away from home.

Playing in New Zealand conditions will also provide a different competitive environment, requiring the squad to adapt tactically and maintain consistency across the series.

For players looking to establish themselves in India's senior setup, such tours can prove particularly valuable. International exposure helps young athletes understand the intensity, speed and tactical requirements of top-level hockey.

With a mix of Under-21 prospects and India A regulars, the tour provides a platform for the next generation to demonstrate their readiness for greater responsibilities.

The 2026 tour also celebrates an important milestone in the sporting relationship between India and New Zealand. In 1926, an Indian Army hockey team travelled to New Zealand, featuring Major Dhyan Chand, one of the most influential figures in the history of Indian hockey. The visit was significant, as it marked the first occasion on which an Indian sporting team toured New Zealand.

Dhyan Chand's legacy remains central to Indian hockey history, and the centenary celebrations provide an opportunity to recognise the journeys of those who helped establish India's presence on the international sporting stage.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey highlighted the importance of the occasion, noting that the tour would celebrate a century of sporting friendship while giving young Indian players an opportunity to showcase their potential.

The centenary therefore combines historical significance with a forward-looking objective: strengthening the next generation of Indian hockey through international competition.

Full 20-Member Indian Squad for New Zealand Tour

Goalkeepers: Mohith HS, Pawan.

Defenders: Sanjay (Captain), Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Sharda Nand Tiwari, Talem Priyobarta, Anmol Ekka, Yashdeep Siwach.

Midfielders: Angad Bir Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Rabichandra Singh, Vishnukant Singh, Manmeet Singh, Rosan Kujur, Venkatesh Kenche.

Forwards: Ajeet Yadav, Uttam Singh, Karthi Selvam, Arshdeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal.

India's three-match assignment against New Zealand will be the centrepiece of the centenary celebrations. The matches, scheduled for November 19, 21 and 22, will give the young Indian contingent an opportunity to test itself against international opposition in Auckland.

For Sanjay, the tour represents another leadership responsibility following his Olympic success. For the younger members of the squad, it could be an important stepping stone towards becoming regular members of India's senior national team.

As Indian hockey celebrates the achievements of its past, the New Zealand tour will also focus on the future. A hundred years after Dhyan Chand and the Indian Army team made history, a new generation of Indian hockey players will take the field with an opportunity to add another chapter to the country's longstanding sporting relationship with New Zealand.