Harmanpreet to lead India at Asian Champions Trophy in Punjab; goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak returns

Hockey India on Tuesday announced the Indian men's hockey team for the Asian Champions Trophy 2026, to be held in Punjab. Harmanpreet Singh will captain the side. Goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak has returned to the team.

The tournament will be played in Jalandhar and Mohali between October 27 and November 5. The opening matches will be held at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar from October 27 to November 2. The key matches of the tournament will then be played in Mohali. The semi-finals are on November 4, while the medal matches are scheduled for November 5.

India won a historic gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. Several players who performed strongly in that tournament have been retained for the Asian Champions Trophy squad. This makes it clear that the selection committee has stressed continuity in the team.

Young defender Amandeep Lakra and midfielder Aditya Arjun Lalage have also got another chance to cement their places in the senior team. Besides the 18 players in the main squad, midfielder Vishnukant Singh and defender Angad Bir Singh have been picked as reserves.

Head coach Craig Fulton said, "Playing the Asian Champions Trophy in Punjab will be special. This team has a good mix of the energy of young players and the skill of experienced players. We are excited to make the most of the support of the crowd in our own country."

The tournament marks the return of international hockey to Punjab. Punjab has contributed greatly to the development of hockey, and the state has given the country many outstanding players.

Defending champions India will go in this time too with the aim of retaining the title. The Indian team has won the Asian Champions Trophy five times so far and is the most successful team in the history of the tournament.

The squad is as follows. Goalkeepers: Suraj Karkera, Krishan Bahadur Pathak. Defenders: Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amandeep Lakra. Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Neelakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh. Forwards: Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh. Reserves: Vishnukant Singh, Angad Bir Singh.