Asia Cup 2025: India National Hockey Team’s Quest for Title Begins on August 29
India, who have won the Asia Cup title three times (2003, 2007, 2017) and finished as runners-up an astonishing five times, are in Pool A alongside Japan, the People's Republic of China, and Kazakhstan. Defending champions and record five-time winners, the Republic of Korea, headline Pool B.
Mumbai, August 28: The Indian Men's Hockey Team will aim for their fourth Asia Cup title as it takes on top Asian teams in the 12th edition of the Men's Asia Cup Hockey Tournament, scheduled to be held in Rajgir from August 29 to September 7. The tournament, a quadrennial event that began in 1982, also serves as a qualification event for the 2026 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium. Asia Cup 2025: Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Unveils Hockey Trophy in Rajgir, Bihar (Watch Video).
The winners of the Asia Cup will earn a direct berth to the World Cup, while the teams finishing from second to sixth will advance to the FIH World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in February-March 2026. Harmanpreet Singh will captain an 18-member Indian men's hockey team in Rajgir. The experienced squad features stalwarts such as Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Mandeep Singh, and Amit Rohidas.
A total of eight teams will contest for the title and have been divided into two groups of four. After single-headed round-robin matches, the top two from each pool will qualify for the Super 4s, with the top two from that stage contesting the final on September 7.
India, who have won the Asia Cup title three times (2003, 2007, 2017) and finished as runners-up an astonishing five times, are in Pool A alongside Japan, the People's Republic of China, and Kazakhstan. Hockey India Announces Free Tickets for Men’s Asia Cup Rajgir, Bihar 2025.
Defending champions and record five-time winners, the Republic of Korea, headline Pool B. Pakistan and Oman have withdrawn from the competition, with Bangladesh and Kazakhstan named as replacements. India will open their Asia Cup hockey campaign against China on August 29. The final will be played on September 7.
Asia Cup 2025 Hockey: Teams and Groups
Pool A: India, Japan, China, Kazakhstan
Pool B: South Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei
Asia Cup 2025 Hockey: India Schedule
August 29, Friday: Pool A: India vs China - 3:00 PM
August 31, Sunday: Pool A: Japan vs India - 3:00 PM
September 1, Monday: Pool A: India vs Kazakhstan - 7:30 PM
September 3, Wednesday: Super 4s / classification matches - 5:00 PM onwards (subject to qualification)
September 4, Thursday: Super 4s - 5:00 PM onwards (subject to qualification)
September 6, Saturday: Super 4s - 5:00 PM onwards (subject to qualification)
September 7, Sunday: Final (subject to qualification) - 7:30 PM
Asia Cup 2025: Indian Men's Hockey Squad
Indian Hockey Team: Krishan Pathak, Suraj Karkera, Sumit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Mandeep Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh
Reserves: Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Selvam Karthi.
(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)