India Retain Asian Games Gold Squad for Asian Champions Trophy

India have retained the core of the squad that won Asian Games gold for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy in Punjab, with goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak returning to the Harmanpreet Singh-led group. The tournament will run from October 27 to November 5, with matches split between Jalandhar and Mohali.

Pathak returns after missing the Asian Games, where India successfully defended their continental crown for the first time and qualified for the Los Angeles Olympics. His inclusion adds to a squad built largely around the players involved in that successful campaign, as defending champions India prepare to pursue another strong run in the Asian Champions Trophy.

India have won the Asian Champions Trophy five times, making them the competition’s most successful team. The side will enter the Punjab event looking to build on its recent continental success while playing an international tournament in a region with a long connection to hockey.

Pathak returns as India blend experience and youth

Suraj Karkera and Pathak are the two goalkeepers named in the 18-member playing squad. The defensive group includes Sanjay, captain Harmanpreet, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh and Amandeep Lakra.

Lakra is among the younger players given an opportunity to strengthen his place in the senior setup. Aditya Arjun Lalage has also been included, joining Rajinder Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh and Manpreet Singh in the midfield options.

The forward line consists of Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh. Midfielder Vishnu Kant Singh and forward Angad Bir Singh have been named as the two reserve players.

Chief coach Craig Fulton said the prospect of the tournament being held in Punjab was significant for the team. “Playing the ACT in Punjab will be something special,” Fulton said. “This squad blends youth with experience, and we can’t wait to feed off the home crowd. There’s nothing like playing a tournament in India, and we’ve missed it.”

The selection underlines India’s continuity after the Asian Games success, while also providing Lakra and Lalage with an opportunity within the senior group. With Harmanpreet continuing as captain, the side will seek to extend a record that already includes five Asian Champions Trophy titles.

Jalandhar hosts league fixtures before Mohali finale

The Asian Champions Trophy will also mark the return of international hockey to Punjab. The competition begins in Jalandhar, where the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium will host the opening ceremony and every league-stage fixture from October 27 through November 2.

The tournament then moves to Mohali for its closing stages. The semi-finals are scheduled for November 4, with the medal matches set for November 5 at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium.

For India, the event offers the chance to carry their Asian Games momentum into a home tournament. The retained core, Pathak’s return and the inclusion of emerging players give the defending champions a settled group for a competition in which they already hold the strongest title record.

The squad named for the Asian Champions Trophy is: Suraj Karkera, Krishan Bahadur Pathak; Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amandeep Lakra; Rajinder Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh; Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh. Vishnu Kant Singh and Angad Bir Singh are the reserve players.