Manpreet Singh ruled out of Asian Champions Trophy; Vivek Sagar Prasad called up

Manpreet Singh has been ruled out of the Asian Champions Trophy after suffering a calf injury in a training session, India captain Harmanpreet Singh confirmed at a captains' press conference in Jalandhar on Monday. Vivek Sagar Prasad has been named as his replacement, announced a day before the hosts begin their campaign against Bangladesh.

The injury is a setback as India prepare to defend their Asian Champions Trophy on home soil. India enter the competition as five-time champions and the defending title-holders. The squad also arrives as Asian Games gold-medallists, having retained much of the core group that won the continental event.

Vivek Sagar Prasad will take Manpreet’s place in the squad; he has been described as a dependable presence in India’s midfield. His inclusion provides another experienced midfield option for the hosts in a six-team tournament. Team management will now look to ensure that the change does not disrupt its preparations for the opening match.

India open against Bangladesh on Tuesday, then play China on October 29 and Japan on October 30. Their remaining group fixtures are against Malaysia on November 1 and South Korea on November 2. The top four teams from the league stage will advance to the semifinals on November 4, with the final scheduled for Mohali on November 5.

The event marks the return of international hockey to Punjab after 17 years and gives several players the chance to play in front of family and friends. Squad members from the state include captain Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh. Chief coach Craig Fulton welcomed the opportunity to compete in India again and stressed the importance of the support the team can expect from the stands.

India will face a strong challenge from Malaysia, while Japan and South Korea will also be looking to upset the favourites. With little time to recover between matches, managing the squad will be important as India pursue a sixth Asian Champions Trophy title. The team must balance rotation and fitness across a compact schedule.

For now, the immediate focus is adapting to Manpreet’s absence and starting the tournament against Bangladesh on Tuesday.