New Delhi, Feb 17 (IANS): The fourth edition of the Hockey India (HI) Senior Men's National Championship will be played in Lucknow from Feb 27 to March 23.

As many as 42 teams will take part in the meet to be played on a league-cum-knockout basis at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium.

This edition will see four new teams: Hockey Gangpur (Odisha), Vidarbha Hockey Association, Central Reserve Police Force and Food Corp of India.

The tournament will be played in two phases: Division A and B. There will be 20 teams in Division A (March 11-23) and 22 in Division B (Feb 27-March 13).

The inaugural match of Division B will be between Puducherry and Hockey Gangpur Feb 27. The final will be played March 13.

In Division A, the inaugural match will be between Jharkhand and Bhopal March 11 and the final on March 23.

In the previous edition, Air India defeated Punjab 6-2 to lift the trophy.

The defending champions are placed in Pool A with Chandigarh, Services Sports Promotion Board, Association of Indian Universities and Andhra Pradesh.

Runners-up Punjab are in Pool B with Manipur, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy, Sports Authority of India and Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Considering the importance of major tournaments like the World Cup, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the Champions Trophy, the government observer as well as HI selectors and coaches will watch the players to select the probables.