India’s Next Generation Ready for U-18 Asia Cup Challenge in Japan
The future of Indian hockey will take centre stage over the next week as the country’s U-18 men’s and women’s teams begin their campaigns at the U-18 Asia Cup 2026 in Kakamigahara, Japan.
Scheduled from May 29 to June 6, the tournament will bring together Asia’s most promising young hockey talent, providing a crucial platform for players hoping to eventually progress to the senior international level. For India, it is an opportunity not only to compete for continental honours but also to assess the next generation of athletes who could shape the future of the national teams.
Both squads arrive in Japan following weeks of intensive preparation at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central Centre at SAI, Bhopal, where they underwent month-long training camps and gained valuable match experience through exposure series against Australia's U-18 teams.
The Indian U-18 men's team will enter the competition led by forward Ketan Kushwaha, one of the standout players from the national camp. Under the guidance of former India captain Sardar Singh and coach Rajnish Mishra, the team has spent the last several weeks refining combinations, improving tactical understanding and preparing for the challenges that await in Japan.
The exposure series against Australia provided an important benchmark for the squad. Across four matches, India recorded one victory and one defeat, while the remaining two games ended in draws. Those results offered a valuable learning experience against quality opposition and helped the coaching staff identify areas requiring improvement before the continental championship.
India have been drawn in Pool A alongside hosts Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei and Kazakhstan.
Their campaign begins against Kazakhstan on May 29, a fixture that could prove vital in establishing early momentum. The team will then face Japan on May 31 before taking on Korea on June 1 and Chinese Taipei on June 3.
The group presents a significant challenge. Japan will enjoy home support throughout the tournament, while Korea have traditionally been one of Asia's strongest hockey nations at age-group level. Chinese Taipei and Kazakhstan will also be eager to cause upsets and secure qualification spots.
Only the top two teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals, making every match crucial. Speaking ahead of the tournament, captain Ketan Kushwaha expressed confidence in the team's preparation.
"The team is feeling confident and excited ahead of the Asia Cup. The camp in Bhopal and the matches against Australia helped us improve a lot as a unit and understand the areas we need to work on. We know every match in the tournament will be competitive, but the squad is motivated to give its best and make the country proud," he said.
The Indian U-18 women's team also heads into the tournament with optimism. Captained by Sweety Kujur and coached by former Indian captain Rani, the squad has focused extensively on fitness, tactical execution and building chemistry during its training camp in Bhopal.
Like their male counterparts, the women's team also benefited from a four-match exposure series against Australia. The highlight was a confidence-boosting victory that demonstrated the team's ability to compete against quality opposition. The women's competition sees India placed in Pool A alongside Malaysia, Korea and Singapore.
India will begin its campaign against Malaysia on May 30 before facing Korea the following day. The final group-stage fixture will be against Singapore on June 2. While the pool appears relatively balanced on paper, Korea are expected to provide the sternest test. Malaysia have also shown steady improvement in recent years and could prove difficult opponents.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the semifinals, scheduled for June 5, with the final set for June 6.
Captain Sweety Kujur believes the team is ready for the challenge. "The entire squad is excited to finally begin the tournament. We have trained really hard over the past few weeks and the Australia matches gave us important match exposure before the Asia Cup. The team has developed strong understanding during the camp and everyone is eager to perform well," she said.
Beyond medals and trophies, the U-18 Asia Cup serves a larger purpose. Age-group tournaments are often where future international stars first announce themselves. Many of India's current senior players progressed through similar pathways before becoming established names in international hockey.
The competition therefore provides an opportunity for Hockey India to evaluate emerging talent against strong continental opposition. With the 2028 Olympic cycle already underway and the sport continuing to evolve globally, identifying and nurturing young talent remains a priority.
Schedule
India U-18 Men
May 29: vs Kazakhstan (9:30 AM IST)
May 31: vs Japan (1:30 PM IST)
June 1: vs Korea (3:30 PM IST)
June 3: vs Chinese Taipei (1:30 PM IST)
India U-18 Women
May 30: vs Malaysia (5:30 AM IST)
May 31: vs Korea (5:30 AM IST)
June 2: vs Singapore (9:30 AM IST)
As the tournament begins in Kakamigahara, both Indian teams carry the hopes of continuing the country's rich hockey tradition. The challenge will be demanding, but the stage is now set for India's next generation of stars to test themselves against the best young talent Asia has to offer.
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