The Sardar Singh-led India will approach the tournament with a new-found confidence and zeal having finished a creditable fourth in the prestigious FIH Champions Trophy in Melbourne earlier this month after competing as an wild card entrant.
India lost to arch-rivals Pakistan, whom they defeated en-route to the title here last year, to miss out on a bronze medal at the just-concluded FIH Champions Trophy in Melbourne.
And this tournament would not only provide Sardar and his boys the opportunity to avenge their defeat at the hands of Pakistan but also make up for their disappointment in Melbourne, where they missed the podium by a whisker.
Impressed by the performance of the team in Melbourne, India have retained the same 18-member squad for Doha, an indication that the selectors are looking ahead to the future.
Considering the level of competition in the tournament, Pakistan is the only team that will provide stiff competition to India. If everything goes according to the script, a repeat of the last year's summit clash between the neighbouring countries is a sure shot.
Apart from India and Pakistan, Oman, Malaysia and Japan are the other teams in the six-nation event.
India has a relatively young team under Sardar and it has gelled well and looked close-knitted unit in the last few tournaments.
Sardar will control the mid-field while the backline will be under vice-captain V R Raghunath and Rupinderpal Singh's responsibility.
India's forward line, however, continues to give a few worries to chief coach Michael Nobbs, who feels Pakistan are red hot favourites for the title this year. (MORE)
