India seek more than routine success as Asian Champions Trophy returns to Punjab from Oct 27-Nov 5
India start the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 in Jalandhar and Mohali, Punjab, India, from October 27 to November 5, 2026, entering the tournament as overwhelming favourites while aiming for more than continued continental dominance.
India’s recent run across Asia underpins their status: they have won two Asian Games titles, two Asian Champions Trophy crowns and an Olympic bronze medal in Paris, and are the only Asian side inside the FIH world rankings' top 10; at the 2026 Hockey World Cup they were the sole Asian team to reach the second phase, though the team’s World Cup performances were described in the source as leaving room for improvement. Pakistan’s absence from the Punjab event and Bangladesh’s inclusion as their replacement have fuelled debate about the competition’s competitive value. "This tournament should not be held, boss. Wasting money," said former India coach V. Bhaskaran to India Today. "What is this Asian Champions Trophy? Does it get any qualification? Asia Cup is meant for qualifying. Asian Champions Trophy was the previous Asian Champions Cup Hockey. They converted it to Asian Champions Trophy." "How come Bangladesh are getting in? They're not in the first five in Asia. They came in as a replacement because Pakistan was not ready to play. Why should you do that?"
For India, the event is positioned as the final major assignment of the year and an opportunity to close the season on a high while preserving momentum. Captain Harmanpreet Singh emphasised respect for all opponents: “Every team is here to compete and win the tournament. All the teams are strong, and we do not want to take any opponent lightly. Everyone has come here to give their best,” said India captain Harmanpreet. “We have gained a lot of experience and matured as a team. We will approach every match with the same mindset and give every opponent the respect they deserve," said Harmanpreet on the eve of the tournament.
The tournament marks the return of international hockey to Punjab after a long absence; the source states that Punjab has not hosted international hockey since 2009 and frames Jalandhar and Mohali as cities with a deep-rooted connection to the sport. Group-stage fixtures will be staged at Jalandhar's Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium after a reported facelift, with knockout matches and the final at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali. Hockey India has made entry free for spectators, and live coverage in India will be available on Star Sports Select 2 and via streaming on the JioHotstar app and website.
India’s squad selection retained much of the core that won Asian Games gold, a choice the source notes prompted questions about the opportunity to blood more young players. The most notable change is the return of goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak in place of Mohith HS; Pathak, described as a long-time understudy to former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, last represented India in December 2025. Young defender Amandeep Lakra and midfielder Aditya Arjun Lalage were included in the main squad, with Vishnu Kant Singh and Angad Bir Singh listed as reserves, according to the source.
The team suffered a late setback when experienced midfielder Manpreet Singh was ruled out with a calf injury sustained during training; the source reports he had been on the verge of making an eighth appearance in the competition. Vivek Sagar Prasad was named as his replacement. The squad listed in the source is: Goalkeepers: Suraj Karkera, Krishan Pathak. Defenders: Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh (c), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amandeep Lakra. Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Aditya Lalage, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad. Forwards: Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh.
Competition format and schedule details in the source state the six teams will play a single round-robin group stage in Jalandhar, with the top four sides advancing to semifinals in Mohali. The knockout stage will use a crossover format (first v fourth, second v third), followed by a fifth-place classification match, a bronze medal match and the final. Rest days are listed for October 28, October 31 and November 3.
The tournament opens on October 27 with Malaysia vs China at 1:00 PM IST and Japan vs South Korea at 3:15 PM IST, followed by an opening ceremony at 5:30 PM IST and hosts India facing Bangladesh at 7:20 PM IST; the schedule in the source also shows India’s subsequent group fixtures and the final scheduled for a 7:00 PM IST kick-off during the knockout stage.