The Indian men's hockey team is set to start the new season of the FIH Hockey Pro League against New Zealand and Spain, which has been announced by the World Governing Body (FIH) with the release of the schedule for the fourth phase of the tournament. India is scheduled to host New Zealand and Spain in the opening matches of the tournament between October 28 and November 6 later this year. India will take on New Zealand on October 28 in the first match, followed by Spain on October 30.
The Indian team is scheduled to play its 'return leg' matches against New Zealand and Spain on October 4 and 6 respectively. During this time, both New Zealand and Spain are also going to play two matches against each other on October 29 and November 5. Graham Reid, head coach of the Indian Men's Hockey team, said, "It was interesting to see the 2022-23 Pro League's ongoing schedule today. As far as our draw is concerned, there is a lot of difference and it is going to give us a chance to practice before the 2023 World Cup.
In the coming year, India is going to play Germany and Australia on home soil. India will take on Germany on March 10 and will take on Australia in the first match of the 'two-match' match after a day's break. The second match of the 2-match match against Germany and Australia is scheduled to be played on March 13 and 15 respectively.
Germany and Australia are also scheduled to play their FIH Pro League matches against each other in India. It looks like a busy Olympic cycle in which India is set to take on defending Olympic champions Belgium (May 26 and June 2), The United Kingdom (May 27 and June 3), the Netherlands (June 7 and June 10) and Argentina (June 8 and 11) on the Europe tour. Reid praised the FIH as it has tried to cut short the trip, which led the Indian coach to term the new schedule as good for the league.
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