New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) Hockey India on Tuesday announced the Indian squad for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Bhopal 2026, scheduled to be held from November 19 to 28 at the newly built International Sports Complex, Nathu Barkheda, Bhopal.
Midfielder Salima Tete will continue to lead the Indian team playing its first international tournament after the historic gold medal triumph at the Asian Games in Japan last month.
Veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia, who captained and anchored India to a historic gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games, where she made a crucial penalty-stroke save against China to secure direct qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics, is not part of the squad, with Bansari Solanki and Bichu Devi Kharibam shouldering goalkeeping duties.
The hosts will enter the tournament as defending champions and three-time winners, having secured the title in 2016, 2023 and 2024. India will be aiming to continue their impressive run and complete a hat-trick of titles while building on the confidence gained from their Asian Games success.
The six-team competition will feature India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and South Korea. Like India, South Korea too have won the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy three times.
The tournament will follow a round-robin format, with each team playing the other five once. The top four teams at the end of the league stage will qualify for the semi-finals.
“This is the moment I want to give other players the chance to showcase their talent on the international stage. Some players will be playing in different positions than they normally do, so that I can see how they perform in a different role,” said Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne. “We are excited to play in front of the home crowd and finish the year well.”
The opening day will see Asia’s top-ranked team China take on Thailand in the tournament opener, while India will begin their campaign against Malaysia following the opening ceremony on the same day.
The Indian women will then face South Korea on November 21, Thailand on November 22, China on November 24 and Japan on November 25.
The semi-finals will be played on November 27 and the medal matches on November 28.
“The Madhya Pradesh Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Bhopal 2026 is an important opportunity for our team to carry forward the momentum of their historic Asian Games triumph,” said Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey. “Playing in front of home supporters will be a great motivation, and I am confident the players will put up a strong performance and make the country proud.”
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh also wished the team success in the tournament. “Our women’s team has had an outstanding year, highlighted by their Asian Games gold medal, and this tournament offers another opportunity to showcase their quality.
“As defending champions, the team will be determined to maintain its winning momentum. We look forward to an exciting competition and strong support from hockey fans across Madhya Pradesh,” said the Secretary General.
Goalkeepers: Bansari Solanki, Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defender: Nikki Pradhan, Jyoti, Jyoti Singh, Sushila Chanu Lalthantluangi, Pooja Sahoo
Midfielders: Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (c), Neha, Sakshi Rana, Baljeeet Kaur, Ishika
Forwards: Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Beauty Dungdung, Lalremsiami, Mumtaz Khan
–IANS
bc/vi