India Announces Men’s Hockey Squad for Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026

Hockey India on Tuesday announced the 18-member Indian men’s squad for the Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, scheduled to take place in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5. Captain Harmanpreet Singh will lead the defending champions as they aim to extend their dominance in the continental tournament.

The squad retains the core group that helped India secure gold at the Asian Games in Japan, where the team successfully defended its continental crown. Notable developments include the return of goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak and opportunities for young defender Amandeep Lakra and midfielder Aditya Arjun Lalage to strengthen their positions in the senior team.

Compared with the Asian Games squad, goalkeeper Mohith H.S., defenders Sumit and Yashdeep Siwach, and midfielders Raj Kumar Pal and Vivek Sagar Prasad are absent from the announced Champions Trophy list. Amandeep Lakra and Aditya Arjun Lalage, previously listed as alternate players for the Asian Games, have earned places in the main squad.

Midfielder Vishnu Kant Singh and forward Angad Bir Singh have been named as reserve players.

Chief Coach Craig Fulton welcomed the opportunity to play in Punjab, highlighting the importance of the home crowd and the balance of youth and experience in the squad. He expressed the team's eagerness to compete in India and draw energy from the support of local fans.

India, the tournament’s most successful team with five titles, will aim to defend its crown against Asia’s leading hockey nations. The competition also marks the return of international hockey to Punjab, a state with a rich hockey tradition.

The Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar will host the opening ceremony and league-stage matches from October 27 to November 2. The tournament will then move to Mohali for the semi-finals on November 4 and the medal matches on November 5 at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium.

Indian Men’s Hockey Squad – Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026

Goalkeepers:

Suraj Karkera, Krishan Bahadur Pathak.

Defenders:

Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh (Captain), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amandeep Lakra.

Midfielders:

Rajinder Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh.

Forwards:

Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh.

Reserve/Replacement Players:

Vishnu Kant Singh, Angad Bir Singh.

India will look to combine experience and emerging talent to deliver a memorable campaign and retain the title on home soil.