New Delhi, 29 July: Defending champions India will rely on the experienced leadership of captain Harmanpreet Singh and veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh after Hockey India on Wednesday unveiled a 20-member men's squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, to be held from September 19 to October 4.
Harmanpreet, India's star drag-flicker, will continue to captain the side, while the vastly experienced Manpreet adds stability and leadership to a squad that blends seasoned internationals with emerging talent as India targets a second successive Asian Games gold and direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The squad features Mohith HS and Suraj Karkera as the two goalkeepers, while the defensive unit comprises Jarmanpreet
Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit and Yashdeep Siwach. The midfield responsibilities will be shared by Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma and Vivek Sagar Prasad, with Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh and Abhishek leading the attack.
India enter the continental showpiece as defending champions after clinching the gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 under Harmanpreet's captaincy. Placed in Pool A, the team will face hosts Japan, Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia in the group stage.
Chief coach Craig Fulton backed the experienced squad to rise to the occasion, stressing the importance of securing direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. "The Indian squad selected for the Asian Games is very experienced. We look forward to the challenge of playing in Japan where the winner qualifies for the LA 2028 Olympics and that is the ultimate goal for us as a team and as a nation," Fulton said.
Echoing the coach's confidence, Harmanpreet urged his teammates to play with freedom and responsibility. "Be it the youngsters or the senior players, I have complete faith in all the players to make good use of the opportunities they get. The main target is to not take pressure, enjoy the game and understand your responsibilities," the skipper said.
Asian Games 2026: India's Fixtures
The men in blue will open their campaign against Indonesia. Here is the full fixture of India:
- Vs Indonesia- September 20
- Vs Sri Lanka- September 22
- Vs Korea- September 24
- Vs Japan- September 26
- Vs Bangladesh- September 28.
The 12-team competition, featuring two pools of six, will be played at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara.
Asian Games 2026: India Squad
- Goalkeepers: Mohith HS, Suraj Karkera
- Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh (c), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, Yashdeep Siwach
- Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad
- Forwards: Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Abhishek.
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