The Indian Men's Hockey team is set to begin their campaign at the Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir, Bihar, with their first match against China on August 29. Coach Craig Fulton has expressed his desire to maintain relentless pressure throughout the tournament, emphasizing the importance of securing maximum points in each game to top their pool.
India, a three-time Asia Cup champion (2003, 2007, 2017), is aiming for their fourth title in this edition. The tournament holds significant weight as it offers a direct qualification spot for the 2026 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium. Teams finishing second through sixth will have another chance to qualify through the FIH World Cup Qualifiers in February-March 2026.
Fulton acknowledged the importance of the Asia Cup, calling it the "most important tournament of the year". He emphasized the need for players with composure, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure, given the World Cup qualification stake.
India's recent performance in the FIH Pro League saw them finishing in eighth place, with a seven-match losing streak. This poor performance has put extra pressure on the team to perform well in the Asia Cup. Fulton has named a full-strength squad for the tournament, aware that missing direct World Cup qualification would mean going through the qualifiers.
The team has been preparing in Rajgir since Monday, getting accustomed to the local weather conditions. Fulton stated that the facilities are excellent and that the team is focused on taking each game at a time.
India is placed in Pool A alongside Japan, China, and Kazakhstan. Pool B consists of South Korea (defending champions), Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Chinese Taipei. Pakistan and Oman have withdrawn from the competition, with Bangladesh and Kazakhstan named as replacements.
India will play China on August 29, followed by Japan on August 31, and Kazakhstan on September 1. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the Super 4s round, with the final scheduled for September 7.
Harmanpreet Singh will captain the 18-member Indian squad, which includes experienced players such as Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Mandeep Singh, and Amit Rohidas. The squad also includes goalkeepers Krishan Pathak and Suraj Karkera; defenders Sumit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, and Jugraj Singh; and forwards Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, and Dilpreet Singh.
While India has a strong record against Asian rivals, Fulton is wary of complacency. He is aiming for the team to start well and build momentum throughout the tournament, drawing inspiration from their good wins at the start of the Paris Olympics. He also highlighted the importance of inspiring the local population in Rajgir with their game and creating more fans for hockey.
