We're working on new strategies and techniques: Birender Lakra

Indian hockey defender Birender Lakra said his team has started to implement new strategies and techniques in their preparation for the Hockey' Champions Trophy that begins in Bhubaneswar from December 6.

The Indian team went through a rigourous training session for two hours on Monday at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

"Our training session is going very good. We have adapted ourselves with the ground and the atmosphere here. The morning practice sessions are good for all us as we start the session with a fresh mind. Today, we worked on various variations and team combinations and we also implemented a few new strategies", said Lakra after the training session.

Also seen at the practice session was Suam Marndi, sports minister of Odisha who wished the side the very best for the upcoming tournament. "It is a delight to see these young men working religiously to make our country proud every minute. Watching this team practicing with so much zeal and enthusiasm is a motivation in itself and I am certain that they all will keep adding to the pride and laurels for India in the coming years ahead. Wishing all the teams good luck and may the best team win," said Marndi.

India will take on Olympic champions Germany Dec 6, followed by matches against Argentina (Dec 7) and The Netherlands (Dec 8).