India recalled goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak for the Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026. Harmanpreet Singh leads the defending champions in the tournament from October 27 to November 5. Coach Craig Fulton said, “Playing the ACT in Punjab will be something special.” The team aims to defend their title on home soil.
Team India (PTI Photo)
India have recalled goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak to their men’s hockey squad for the Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, with Harmanpreet Singh set to lead the defending champions in the tournament from October 27 to November 5. Hockey India announced an 18-member squad on Tuesday, retaining the core group that clinched gold at the Asian Games in Japan, where India successfully defended their continental crown for the first time. Pathak’s return is a notable inclusion as India prepare to face Asia’s leading hockey nations on home soil. Young defender Amandeep Lakra and midfielder Aditya Arjun Lalage have also earned another opportunity to strengthen their positions in the senior team. Vishnu Kant Singh and Angad Bir Singh have been named as reserve players.
Pathak returns as India retain winning core
India have opted for continuity after their recent success at the Asian Games, with captain Harmanpreet leading an experienced squad featuring key players such as Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas and Mandeep Singh. The return of Pathak adds depth to India's goalkeeping department alongside Suraj Karkera, while the inclusion of Lakra and Lalage provides further opportunities for younger players to establish themselves at the international level. Chief coach Craig Fulton expressed his excitement about playing the tournament in Punjab, highlighting the importance of home support. “Playing the ACT in Punjab will be something special,” Fulton said. “This squad blends youth with experience, and we cannot wait to feed off the home crowd. There is nothing like playing a tournament in India, and we have missed it.”
Join conversation
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
International hockey returns to Punjab
The tournament marks the return of international hockey to Punjab, a state with a rich history of producing some of India's finest players. Matches will be held in Jalandhar and Mohali, bringing the continent's leading teams to one of the country's traditional hockey strongholds. The league stage will take place at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar from October 27 to November 2. The competition will then move to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali for the knockout stage, with the semi-finals scheduled for November 4 and the medal matches on November 5. India, the tournament's most successful team with five titles, will aim to defend their crown and extend their dominance in the competition.
India's squad for Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026
Goalkeepers: Suraj Karkera, Krishan Bahadur Pathak
Defenders: Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amandeep Lakra
Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh
Forwards: Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh