India aim for fourth title and third consecutive crown after historic Asian Games gold
India captain Salima Tete will lead a 20-member squad at the Madhya Pradesh Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Bhopal 2026, scheduled to be held from November 19 to 28.
Hockey India announced the squad on Tuesday, with the tournament marking India’s first international assignment since their historic gold medal triumph at the Asian Games in Japan last month.
The defending champions will aim to win their fourth Asian Champions Trophy title and complete a hat-trick of consecutive victories, having lifted the trophy in 2016, 2023 and 2024.
The six-team tournament will feature India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and South Korea. South Korea have also won the title three times.
India will begin their campaign against Malaysia on November 19, following the opening ceremony. They will subsequently face South Korea (November 21), Thailand (November 22), China (November 24) and Japan (November 25).
The tournament will follow a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals on November 27. The final and third-place match will be played on November 28.
Chief coach Sjoerd Marijne indicated that the tournament would also provide opportunities for players to showcase their abilities in different positions.
“This is the moment I want to give other players the chance to showcase their talent on the international stage,” Marijne said, adding that the team was excited to play in front of the home crowd and finish the year on a high.
The squad includes experienced campaigners Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Lalremsiami, Bichu Devi Kharibam and Nikki Pradhan.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said the tournament would provide an important opportunity to carry forward the momentum of India’s Asian Games success.
India Squad
Goalkeepers: Bansari Solanki, Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Jyoti, Jyoti Singh, Sushila Chanu, Lalthantluangi, Pooja Sahoo
Midfielders: Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (Captain), Neha, Sakshi Rana, Baljeet Kaur, Ishika
Forwards: Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Beauty Dungdung, Lalremsiami, Mumtaz Khan
