Sports News: The Indian men’s hockey team will once again be looking to defend the gold medal at the Asian Games 2026. Hockey India announced the 20-member Indian squad for the 20th Asian Games on July 29. The Asian Games will be held from September 19 to October 4. Experienced defender and star drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh has been given the captaincy of the team for the second consecutive time, while veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh will be seen showing his experience. The Indian team for the Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026 was recently announced.
India faces a challenge to defend the gold medal
India won the gold medal under Harmanpreet’s captaincy in the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games and now the team will be looking to defend its title in this tournament to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The Indian team has been placed in Pool A with hosts Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Mohit HS and Suraj Karkera will be responsible for goalkeeping. While the defense includes captain Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit and Yashdeep Siwach. In midfield, Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Neelkant Sharma and Vivek Sagar Prasad will provide balance to the team. The attack will be responsible for Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjit Singh, Mandeep Singh and Abhishek.
The goal will be to qualify for the Olympics 2028
Head coach Craig Fulton said about the team selection that the Indian team selected for the Asian Games is very experienced. According to him, this tournament to be held in Japan will be challenging because the winner of this competition will directly qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. He said that this is the biggest goal of the Indian team.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh also expressed confidence in the team and said that the great combination of young and experienced players is the biggest strength of the Indian team. He said that instead of taking pressure, the players should enjoy their game and should fulfill their responsibilities with full honesty.
A total of 12 teams have been divided into two pools in the Asian Games and all the matches will be played at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Japan. The Indian team will start its campaign against Indonesia on September 20. After this, it will face Sri Lanka on September 22, South Korea on September 24, Japan on September 26 and Bangladesh on September 28.
Indian Men’s Hockey Team for Asian Games 2026
Goalkeepers: Mohit HS, Suraj Karkera
Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, Yashdeep Siwach
Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Neelkant Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad
Forwarders: Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjit Singh, Mandeep Singh, Abhishek
