Indian U-18 Men's Hockey Team Set for Asia Cup Challenge in Japan
Indian U-18 Men's Squad Announced for Asia Cup
Hockey India has revealed the 18-member squad for the Indian U-18 Men's team, which will compete in the upcoming Men's U18 Asia Cup in Kakamigahara, Japan, scheduled from May 29 to June 6, 2026.
The selection was made public on Wednesday following an intensive National Coaching Camp held at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai ji) Central Centre in SAI Bhopal, under the guidance of coaches Sardar Singh and Rajnish Mishra.
As part of their preparation, the team engaged in a four-match series against the Australia U-18 team in Bhopal, providing valuable exposure.
Leadership and Recent Performance
Ketan Kushwaha has been appointed as the captain of the squad, which is set to face some of the best youth teams in Asia, as stated in a press release from Hockey India.
In their recent matches against Australia U-18, the Indian team secured one victory, suffered one defeat, and drew two matches.
Tournament Structure and Match Schedule
The U18 Asia Cup will feature a competitive group stage followed by knockout rounds. India will kick off their campaign on May 29 against Kazakhstan, followed by a crucial match against the host nation, Japan, on May 31. The team will also compete against South Korea on June 1 and conclude the group stage against Chinese Taipei on June 3.
The top teams from the group will advance to the semi-finals on June 5, with the final and classification matches taking place on June 6.
Coach's Ambition for the Tournament
Coach Sardar Singh expressed his confidence in the squad, stating, "The selection process was highly competitive, and we have assembled a team that strikes the right tactical balance. Our training in Bhopal and matches against a strong side like Australia have prepared these players for the pressures of international competition. We have focused on tactical discipline, penalty corner strategies, and overall structure. The boys are motivated, and our goal is clear: to execute our plans effectively, lead our group, and aim for the trophy."
Complete Indian U-18 Men's Squad
Goalkeepers: Sawan Kumar, Ayush Rajak
Defenders: Ansh Bahutra, Arman Soreng, Ashish Tani Purti, Arshdip Singh, Avi Manikpuri, Romit Pal
Midfielders: Rahul Yadav, Premchand Soy, Varinder Singh, Karan Gautam, Siddharth Ben
Forwards: Ketan Kushwaha (Captain), Akash Deep, Gazee Khan, Shahrukh Ali, Prahalad Rajbhar
India's Match Schedule (All Times IST)
May 29, 2026: India vs Kazakhstan - 09:30 Hrs
May 31, 2026: India vs Japan - 13:30 Hrs
June 1, 2026: India vs South Korea - 15:30 Hrs
June 3, 2026: India vs Chinese Taipei - 13:30 Hrs.