Indian hockey teams get ready to tour Australia in November

THE INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM will be playing a four-nation tournament held in Australia at the State Netball and Hockey Centre from November 22nd to 27th. The three other teams include hosts, Australia, Malaysia and a team that is yet to be confirmed.

This will be followed by a two match Test series between the hosts and India from 30th November to 2nd December. The women's team of both the sides will play a three match test series.

These series' are being touted as the Victorian Festival of Hockey.

"The festival of hockey in Melbourne will be the highest profile event the sport has seen in Australia since the 2012 Champions Trophy, allowing us to showcase the sport and our partnership with India to the country and the rest of the world," Hockey Australia (HA) chief executive Cam Vale said on Tuesday.

"In the Kookaburras and India, we have two of the in-form teams in world hockey right now. Malaysia are hot on the heels of the best, sitting just outside the top-10, and we're excited about the prospect of including the proposed fourth team, which we will look to announce after discussions and confirmation of our broadcast partners."

The participation of India in the event is a result of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between HA and Hockey India (HI) last year.

"Perhaps the biggest strength of our sport is its gender equality and it's a great reflection of that strength that the Hockeyroos will host the Indian women's team for three Tests as part of the event," said Vale.

"Their standout Friday night fixture, we are certain will capture the imagination of the public, sponsors and broadcasters alike in the spirit of the famous hockey movie partially shot in Melbourne - Chak De! India."