Confident Indian hockey team set for Australia challenge

New Delhi: The Indian men's hockey team is all geared up to play the four-match test series in Australia from November 10.

The tour will also prepare the team for Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha from December 6-14. The squad is scheduled to leave for Australia on Wednesday night.

The 21 member squad is full of confidence after their recent gold medal victory at the Asian Games. The team will play four matches at the Perth Hockey Stadium.

Talking just before departure, captain Sardar Singh said, "Our team has worked hard for the last few weeks and we are looking forward to the Australian tour which will prove to be a big boost for the team to enhance our skills.

"Winning the gold medal in the recently concluded Asian Games has boosted the morale of the team and we are sure that we will get the best out of this learning experience. The aim is to win against them and I am confident we will overcome this challenge."

Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh added: "We are aiming at good games with Australia, keeping in mind all the strategies and tactics that we have planned to implement during the Games. We are committed to work hard as a single unit and utilise this opportunity as a good learning experience at Australia."