The Indian men’s hockey team is set to return to the prestigious Sultan Azlan Shah Cup after six years, eyeing a strong campaign in the 31st edition of the invitational tournament that begins in Ipoh from November 23 to 30.
India, five-time champions and the second-most successful team in the tournament’s history, last appeared in 2019 when they finished as runners-up. With the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup and the Asian Games on the horizon, the event offers an ideal stage to fine-tune preparations and experiment with combinations.
This year’s competition will see six teams — India, Belgium, Canada, Korea, New Zealand and hosts Malaysia — battle in a round-robin format, with the top two advancing to the final.
Led by captain Sanjay, India will open their campaign against Korea on November 23. They will face Belgium a day later, followed by matches against Malaysia (November 26), New Zealand (November 27) and Canada (November 29).
Balanced Squad Ready for Challenge
The squad features a healthy mix of youth and experience.
Goalkeepers: Pawan, Mohith HS
Defenders: Poovanna Chandura Boby, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Yashdeep Siwach, Jugraj Singh, Amit Rohidas, Sanjay
Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Mohammed Raheel Mouseen
Forwards: Sukhjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Selvam Karthi, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Dilpreet Singh, Abhishek
The team underwent an extensive training block at the national camp in Bengaluru under chief coach Craig Fulton, focusing on tactical discipline and sharpening execution under pressure.
Reflecting confidence ahead of the opener, captain Sanjay said the squad had worked hard on key areas identified during preparations.
“This competitive tournament offers us an opportunity to test ourselves against strong international opponents and we’re ready to hit the ground running,” he said.
He added that the blend of young talent and experienced hands has boosted morale:
“The energy within the group is positive. Our preparation helped everyone understand their roles and responsibilities. Now our focus is on delivering consistent performances and challenging for the title.”
India’s return to Ipoh brings both anticipation and expectations, as the team aims to add a sixth crown to their storied history in Malaysia’s iconic tournament.
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