Harmanpreet Singh To Lead India At Asian Champions Trophy 2026 As International Hockey Returns To Punjab

Indian men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh will spearhead the defending champions' campaign at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, with Hockey India announcing a 20-member squad for the tournament scheduled to take place in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5.

Fresh from their historic gold-medal triumph at the Asian Games in Japan, where India successfully defended their continental title, the team will look to carry that winning momentum into the prestigious continental competition.

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The selection reflects confidence in the core group that delivered success at the Asian Games, with a blend of experienced campaigners and promising young talent forming the backbone of the squad.

Goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak returns to the team, while defender Amandeep Lakra and midfielder Aditya Arjun Lalage have earned another opportunity to establish themselves at the senior international level.

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

The tournament carries added significance as international hockey returns to Punjab, a state synonymous with the sport and home to generations of legendary Indian hockey players. Hosting matches in Jalandhar and Mohali will provide fans with an opportunity to witness some of Asia's finest teams competing on Indian soil.

India enter the competition as the defending champions and the most successful team in the tournament's history, having lifted the Asian Champions Trophy five times. With the confidence of their recent Asian Games triumph, Harmanpreet and his teammates will aim to extend that record and maintain India's dominance in Asian hockey.

The tournament will begin in Jalandhar, where the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium will host the opening ceremony and all league-stage matches from October 27 to November 2.

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The competition will then move to Mohali for the knockout stage, with the semi-finals scheduled for November 4 and the medal matches set to take place on November 5 at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium.

With passionate home support expected across both venues, India will be eager to turn the tournament into another memorable chapter in their hockey journey while celebrating Punjab's rich contribution to the sport.

India's Squad for Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026

Goalkeepers

1. Suraj Karkera

2. Krishan Bahadur Pathak

Defenders

3. Sanjay

4.Harmanpreet Singh (Captain)

5. Amit Rohidas

6. Jugraj Singh

7. Jarmanpreet Singh

8. Amandeep Lakra

Midfielders

9. Rajinder Singh

10. Aditya Arjun Lalage

11. Nilakanta Sharma

12. Hardik Singh

13. Manpreet Singh

Forwards

14. Shilanand Lakra

15. Abhishek

16. Sukhjeet Singh

17. Dilpreet Singh

18. Mandeep Singh

Reserve Players

19. Vishnu Kant Singh

20. Angad Bir Singh