Rajgir: The Indian Men’s Hockey Team is set to chase its fourth Asia Cup title at the 12th edition of the Men’s Asia Cup Hockey Tournament, taking place in Rajgir from August 29 to September 7.
The quadrennial tournament, first held in 1982, also serves as a qualifier for the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium. The Asia Cup winners will secure direct entry to the World Cup, while teams finishing second to sixth will move on to the FIH World Cup Qualifiers in February-March 2026.
Harmanpreet Singh will lead an 18-member Indian squad, which features experienced campaigners including Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Mandeep Singh, and Amit Rohidas.
Eight teams will compete for the title, divided into two groups of four. Following round-robin matches in each pool, the top two teams will advance to the Super 4s, with the leading two from that stage contesting the final on September 7.
India, three-time Asia Cup champions (2003, 2007, 2017) and five-time runners-up, are in Pool A alongside Japan, China, and Kazakhstan. The defending champions and record five-time winners, South Korea, headline Pool B.
Asia Cup 2025 – Teams and Groups
- Pool A: India, Japan, China, Kazakhstan
- Pool B: South Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei
Pakistan and Oman have withdrawn, with Bangladesh and Kazakhstan stepping in as replacements.
India will kick off their campaign against China on August 29, with the final scheduled for September 7.
India’s Asia Cup 2025 Schedule:
- August 29, Friday: India vs China – 3:00 PM
- August 31, Sunday: Japan vs India – 3:00 PM
- September 1, Monday: India vs Kazakhstan – 7:30 PM
- September 3, Wednesday: Super 4s / Classification matches – 5:00 PM onwards (subject to qualification)
- September 4, Thursday: Super 4s – 5:00 PM onwards (subject to qualification)
- September 6, Saturday: Super 4s – 5:00 PM onwards (subject to qualification)
- September 7, Sunday: Final – 7:30 PM (subject to qualification)
Indian Men’s Hockey Squad – Asia Cup 2025:
Krishan Pathak, Suraj Karkera, Sumit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Mandeep Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh
Reserves: Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Selvam Karthi
