Hockey India Announces Indian Men’s Squad for Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026; Krishan Pathak Returns

Harmanpreet Singh to lead defending champions as international hockey returns to Punjab from October 27 to November 5

Hockey India has announced an 18-member Indian men’s squad for the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, with goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak making a comeback to the national team. The tournament will be held in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5, marking the return of international hockey to Punjab.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh will lead the defending champions following their historic gold-medal-winning campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. India successfully defended its continental crown at the Games, and the squad selection reflects the team management’s preference for continuity ahead of another important tournament on home soil.

India enter the competition as the most successful team in the history of the Asian Champions Trophy, having won the title five times. The hosts will now aim to extend that record while building on the momentum generated by their recent success in Japan.

The return of Krishan Bahadur Pathak is one of the key developments in the squad announcement. He joins Suraj Karkera in the goalkeeping department, giving chief coach Craig Fulton two options between the posts.

The defensive unit will be led by Harmanpreet Singh and includes Sanjay, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh and Amandeep Lakra. Young defender Lakra has earned another opportunity to strengthen his position in the senior setup. The midfield features Rajinder Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh and Manpreet Singh. Lalage has also received another opportunity at the senior level, while the presence of experienced international campaigners provides continuity in the middle of the pitch.

India’s forward line comprises Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh. The combination will be tasked with converting attacking opportunities as India seek to make their home advantage count.

Midfielder Vishnu Kant Singh and forward Angad Bir Singh have been named as reserve or replacement players, completing the selection announcement. The retained core offers India familiarity across the field after their Asian Games triumph. With a short tournament window and matches against leading Asian sides, maintaining the understanding developed by the group could be an important advantage.

Craig Fulton Welcomes Hockey’s Return to Punjab

Chief coach Craig Fulton highlighted the significance of playing the tournament in Punjab, a region with a deep-rooted connection to Indian hockey and a history of producing prominent players. “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 tournament is particularly meaningful because it brings international hockey back to a state that has played a major role in the sport’s development in India. The fixtures in Jalandhar and Mohali are expected to draw attention from local supporters, with the Indian team looking to turn that backing into positive performances.

For Fulton and his players, the challenge will be to combine the confidence of their Asian Games success with the focus required to navigate another demanding international competition. As defending champions, India will also face the pressure of protecting their title against Asia’s leading teams.

The Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 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. The tournament will then move to Mohali for its decisive stages. The semi-finals are scheduled for November 4, followed by the medal matches on November 5 at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium.

The two-city format will bring international hockey to supporters in different parts of Punjab, with Jalandhar hosting the initial phase before Mohali stages the matches that determine the final standings. India’s immediate objective will be to progress through the league stage and build towards the semi-finals. Their established core and recent success make them a team to watch, but the defending champions will need to deliver consistently throughout the competition.

India Targets Sixth Asian Champions Trophy Title

India’s five previous Asian Champions Trophy titles underline their sustained success in the tournament. The 2026 edition presents an opportunity to add another trophy while celebrating the return of international hockey to Punjab.

The squad combines experienced players with younger names looking to establish themselves at the senior level. Pathak’s return and the continued opportunities for Amandeep Lakra and Aditya Arjun Lalage are notable elements of the selection, while Harmanpreet’s leadership will remain central to India’s campaign.

With the Asian Games title secured and home support expected in Jalandhar and Mohali, India will enter the competition with clear ambitions. The team will seek not only to defend its crown but also to make the tournament a memorable occasion for hockey supporters in Punjab.

India’s campaign begins on October 27, with the final medal matches scheduled for November 5 in Mohali.