When the Indian men’s hockey team steps onto the blue turf at the 31st Sultan Azlan Shah Cup later this month, it won’t be about chasing medals at least not entirely.
Instead, it will be a tournament about testing the next generation, pushing emerging players into pressure situations, and identifying who can be trusted in the long-term build-up to the 2026 World Cup and Asian Games cycle. Chief coach Craig Fulton has opted for a bold experimental route, resting key figures including Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Mandeep Singh, and goalkeepers Krishan Pathak and Suraj Karkera. It’s a deliberate gamble one that prioritizes depth-building over dominance, as India faces a packed fixture list across the coming year.
The 31st Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, scheduled from November 23–30, 2025, at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, will see six participating nations India, Belgium, Germany, Malaysia (hosts), South Korea, and Canada. The competition follows a round-robin format, with every team playing each other once before the top two meet in the final on November 30.
This year’s edition is already notable for a major omission: defending champions Japan were not invited to participate, breaking the recent tradition of East Asian representation. Their absence opens the door for a more balanced contest between Europe’s powerhouses and Asia’s top two hockey nations India and Malaysia.
For India, currently ranked eighth in the FIH World Rankings, the tournament presents an intriguing blend of opportunities and challenges. Facing Belgium (FIH #3) and Germany (FIH #2) early in the competition will serve as an immediate litmus test for this experimental side. Meanwhile, fixtures against South Korea, Malaysia, and Canada offer vital platforms to refine systems and assess player adaptability.
India’s Legacy at the Azlan Shah Cup
Few teams have a richer history at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup than India. Since the tournament’s inception, the Men in Blue have been five-time champions in 1985, 1991, 1995, 2009, and 2010, the last of which they shared with South Korea after rain halted the final. India last reached the final in 2019, finishing runners-up to South Korea in a thriller.
This time, Hockey India’s stated goal is to “reclaim the crown,” but behind closed doors, the focus is clearly developmental. Fulton’s team is using Ipoh as a testing ground for emerging players — a chance to build resilience, leadership, and tactical maturity outside the shadows of the established stars.
Resting the Core: Strategy, Not Risk
Fulton’s decision to rest half of India’s first-choice lineup isn’t random it’s rooted in the hard lessons of the 2024–25 Pro League, where India slumped to eighth after a seven-match losing streak during the European leg. Fatigue, over-dependence on key players, and lack of bench readiness were glaring weaknesses.
By leaving out senior figures like Harmanpreet, Manpreet, and Mandeep, the coaching staff is deliberately creating a high-pressure simulation for younger players one where decision-making, set-piece execution, and mental resilience are tested in real competition against top-tier opponents. As one analyst on social media noted, “It’s a good chance for Karthi Selvam, M.D. Raheel, C.B. Poovanna, and Aditya to make life harder for the first XI when they return for the Pro League camp.” That sentiment captures the tournament’s spirit competition within the squad, not just against opponents.
With Harmanpreet Singh rested, Sanjay, the 24-year-old defender and Olympic bronze medallist, has been handed the captaincy. Known for his composure and penalty corner ability, Sanjay’s leadership will be crucial in guiding an inexperienced backline featuring Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Yashdeep Siwach, and Chandura Boby. He will be backed by Amit Rohidas, one of India’s most capped players (223 appearances), who serves as vice-captain and senior leader in defense. Rohidas’s experience, particularly in penalty corner routines, becomes invaluable in Harmanpreet’s absence.
The rest of India’s defense includes Jugraj Singh, another proven drag-flicker, alongside the promising Poovanna Boby and Yashdeep Siwach both looking to establish themselves as reliable options for the 2026 cycle.
Goalkeeping: The Great Junior Experiment
The biggest leap of faith comes in goal. With both senior goalkeepers rested, India will rely on Pawan and Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar (MHS).
Shashikumar, just 21, has been fast-tracked after winning Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the Junior Asia Cup. His sharp reflexes and composure in the Sultan of Johor Cup final earned him national attention, but facing Belgium’s world-class attackers will be an entirely different experience. Fulton is intentionally throwing the youngster into the deep end a trial by fire to assess his long-term readiness.
India’s midfield is built around its Olympic core Vivek Sagar Prasad and Nilakanta Sharma. Vivek, the 2020 FIH Young Player of the Year, will control tempo and transitions in the absence of Manpreet and Hardik. Nilakanta, meanwhile, provides balance and calm, especially in possession-heavy phases. Supporting them are Raj Kumar Pal, Rajinder Singh, and Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem, each fighting for long-term roles in the rotation. Mohammed Raheel Mouseen, primarily an attacking midfielder, will be India’s creative spark, tasked with bridging the midfield-forward link in open play.
Forwards: Opportunity and Redemption
India’s frontline is a mix of tested performers and hungry newcomers. Sukhjeet Singh and Abhishek both consistent scorers in recent tournaments lead the attack. Dilpreet Singh, an Olympic bronze medallist returning after fitness-related omission, sees this as a make-or-break event. His performance in Ipoh could determine his reintegration into the main setup.
Selvam Karthi and Shilanand Lakra provide pace and agility in counter-attacks, while Aditya Arjun Lalage, a junior debutant, adds fresh energy and unpredictability. Without Mandeep’s physicality and Harmanpreet’s drag-flick dominance, India’s attacking unit will rely on fluid passing and field goals rather than set-piece conversions a key tactical adjustment under Fulton.
India’s Schedule and Key Fixtures
•Nov 23: vs South Korea – Tournament opener; sets tone for young squad
•Nov 24: vs Belgium – Ultimate test of defensive structure
•Nov 26: vs Malaysia – Host pressure and Asian rivalry
•Nov 27: vs New Zealand – Direct competition for podium finish
•Nov 29: vs Canada – Final league match; clinical consistency needed
For India, success in Ipoh won’t just be about podium finishes. It will be measured by how the younger players perform under sustained pressure, how the penalty corner unit functions without Harmanpreet, and how the team maintains defensive integrity through five matches in seven days. A top-three finish would be commendable, but even a fourth-place result could be considered progress if India’s depth holds up. The bigger picture is clear to build a resilient squad capable of rotating seamlessly without compromising quality, especially before the 2026 cycle begins.
India Squad for Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025
GOALKEEPERS
- Pawan
- Mohith Shashikumar
DEFENDERS
- Chandura Boby
- Nilam Sanjeep Xess
- Yashdeep Siwach
- Sanjay (Captain)
- Jugraj Singh
- Amit Rohidas
MIDFIELDERS
- Rajinder Singh
- Raj Kumar Pal
- Nilakanta Sharma
- Ravichandra Singh Moirangthem
- Vivek Sagar Prasad
- Md Raheel Mouseen
FORWARDS
- Sukhjeet Singh
- Shilanand Lakra
- Selvam Karthi
- Aditya Arjun Lalage
- Dilpreet Singh
- Abhishek
