Hero Asia Cup 2025 The Indian men’s hockey team enters the 12th edition of the Hero Asia Cup with one objective in mind: to secure direct qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026.
For head coach Craig Fulton and captain Harmanpreet Singh, this is more than just another continental tournament it is a stress test of their new tactical identity and a chance to validate the team’s evolving philosophy on home soil. The 2025 Asia Cup, being staged for the first time at the Rajgir Sports Complex in Bihar, is not just about regional bragging rights. The stakes are steep: the winner earns an automatic berth to the 2026 World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands, while teams finishing second through sixth must endure the qualifiers.
Eight teams are divided into two pools:
•Pool A: India, Japan, China, Kazakhstan
•Pool B: South Korea (defending champions), Malaysia, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei
India’s group looks manageable on paper, but the absence of Pakistan — withdrawn citing “security concerns” — has removed one of the fiercest rivalries in the sport. Bangladesh and Kazakhstan step in as replacements, but without the psychological edge of an India–Pakistan clash, questions remain whether India will find the early tournament intensity needed to prepare for the knockout phase.
India’s History at the Asia Cup
India has won the Asia Cup title three times (2003, 2007, 2017) and shared the honours with Pakistan and South Korea as the most consistent teams at the event. Their last outing in 2022 ended in third place, a reminder that consistency at this level cannot be taken for granted.
Champions in 2003, 2007, 2017 & Third place in 2022
Squad: Experience Over Experimentation
Fulton has opted for a stable 18-member squad, signaling his intent to prioritize proven performers in a high-stakes environment.
- Goalkeepers: Krishan B Pathak, Suraj Karkera
- Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sumit
- Midfielders: Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal
- Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh
- Reserves: Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Selvam Karthi
This group represents a cohesive blend of seasoned campaigners and dependable role players, designed to cut out the lapses that haunted India during the Pro League. By avoiding too much experimentation, Fulton is signaling that the Asia Cup is about results first, development later.
Key Players to Watch
- Harmanpreet Singh: India’s captain and drag-flick specialist remains the team’s most lethal weapon. He was top scorer at the Paris 2024 Olympics with 10 goals and continues to anchor both defense and set-piece offense.
- Mandeep Singh: Nicknamed “Mr. Fourth Quarter” for his knack of scoring late, Mandeep’s ability to deliver under pressure could balance India’s tendency to concede late goals.
- Hardik Singh: The midfield powerhouse has grown under Fulton’s system, combining ball-winning ability with transitional play. His role in maintaining possession and dictating tempo will be pivotal.
Fulton’s Philosophy: “Defend to Win”
Since taking charge, Fulton has shifted India’s style from Graham Reid’s free-flowing attack to a possession-heavy, defensive-first system. His blueprint requires every player to defend, maintain shape, and attack only after patient probing.
The results have been mixed: At home in the FIH Pro League, India impressed with controlled wins. On the European leg, however, they lost seven straight games, conceding 38 goals while scoring only 34 across the season. India finished eighth in the Pro League (6 wins, 10 losses, -4 goal difference). Fulton admitted the team is still “building, not finished,” making Rajgir the ultimate test of whether his philosophy can withstand tournament pressure.
Tournament Outlook
India’s Pool A fixtures:
•Aug 29 vs China (3:00 PM IST)
•Aug 31 vs Japan (3:00 PM IST)
•Sep 1 vs Kazakhstan (7:30 PM IST)
A smooth run through the group stage is expected, but the Super 4s will likely bring clashes with South Korea (five-time champions) and Malaysia both serious threats.
The home advantage in Bihar could prove decisive. Fulton believes the crowd will be India’s “extra man,” and the historic setting of Rajgir hosting international hockey for the first time gives the players both pride and pressure to perform.
The Hero Asia Cup 2025 is more than a continental title chase for India. It is a test of Fulton’s tactical shift, a chance for veterans to prove their consistency, and an opportunity for India to secure early qualification to the 2026 World Cup. Victory here would not only bring silverware but also reinforce India’s reputation as Asia’s dominant force, while failure could reopen debates on strategy and squad balance. For Harmanpreet Singh and his men, the road to glory in Rajgir could define the legacy of this team.
