India's journey to defend their title at the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 begins with a high-stakes clash against hosts China in Hulunbuir on September 9.
After a successful outing at the Paris Olympics, where India clinched a bronze, Craig Fulton's squad will look to maintain their dominance in Asia. The tournament begins with the round-robin pool stages with all six participating nations facing each other once before the semifinal.

India vs China Asian Champions Trophy 2024 match will be held on Monday (September 9) and will take place at the Hulunbuir Hockey Stadium. The match will begin at 3:30 PM IST. India vs China Live TV telecast will be on Sony Sports 1. For fans wanting to stream the match live, Sony Liv will provide online coverage.
India enters the tournament as the defending champions, having won the previous edition in Chennai last year. With some key players rested, including Hardik Singh and Mandeep Singh, this match will see fresh faces taking on China. Krishan Pathak takes over as India's first-choice goalkeeper following PR Sreejesh's retirement, signalling the beginning of a new era in Indian hockey.
On the other hand, China will be looking to make a mark on their home turf but face an uphill battle. In their previous meeting at last year's Asian Champions Trophy, India triumphed with a convincing 7-0 victory. However, with both teams in transition and building toward future Olympic qualification, the clash promises to offer a glimpse of what to expect in the coming years.
India, after a stellar run in the Paris Olympics and Asian Games, will be looking to assert their dominance once again. The stakes are high, and fans can expect an intense opening match.