Hockey India has revealed the 18-member squad that will represent India at the upcoming Men’s U18 Asia Cup 2026, which will be held in Kakamigahara, Japan. The tournament is scheduled to run from May 29 to June 6. The squad announcement took place on May 21 and came after a thorough National Coaching Camp conducted at the SAI Bhopal facility, led by coaches Sardar Singh and Rajnish Mishra. The selection process involved a rigorous evaluation of players in a competitive environment, aiming to identify those capable of performing under pressure.

Preparation Includes Series Against Australia

In the lead-up to the Asia Cup, the Indian team engaged in a four-match series against the Australia U-18 team, which served as part of their preparatory exposure tour. The results of the series included one victory, one defeat, and two matches that ended in draws, providing valuable experience ahead of the continental event. Ketan Kushwaha has been appointed as the captain of the squad and is set to lead the team against Asia’s finest youth teams.

Group Stage Matches Scheduled

The U18 Asia Cup features a group stage format followed by knockout rounds. India’s campaign is set to commence with a match against Kazakhstan on May 29. The team will then face the hosts, Japan, on May 31. Following that, they will take on South Korea on June 1, and conclude their group stage matches against Chinese Taipei on June 3. The teams that perform best will advance to the semi-finals, which are scheduled for June 5. The tournament will conclude with the final and classification matches on June 6.

Coach Emphasizes Tactical Preparation

In discussing the final team selection, Coach Sardar Singh noted the competitive nature of the selection process. He expressed confidence in the squad’s tactical balance, citing the training sessions in Bhopal and the exposure matches against Australia as instrumental in preparing the players for high-pressure situations. Singh mentioned that the team has focused significantly on tactical discipline, penalty corner strategies, and overall structure. He conveyed that the players are in high spirits and are keen to execute their game plans effectively in the upcoming Asia Cup, with the goal of topping their group and advancing towards the trophy.

Details of the Selected Squad

The final roster for the Indian U-18 Men’s squad includes the following players: In the goalkeeping department, Sawan Kumar and Ayush Rajak have been chosen. The defenders are Ansh Bahutra, Arman Soreng, Ashish Tani Purti, Arshdip Singh, Avi Manikpuri, and Romit Pal. The midfield will see Rahul Yadav, Premchand Soy, Varinder Singh, Karan Gautam, and Siddharth Ben. The forward line will be spearheaded by captain Ketan Kushwaha, alongside Akash Deep, Gazee Khan, Shahrukh Ali, and Prahalad Rajbhar.

Match Schedule

India’s matches in the U18 Asia Cup are scheduled as follows: On May 29, India will play against Kazakhstan at 09:30 IST. The match against Japan is set for May 31 at 13:30 IST. Subsequently, India will take on South Korea on June 1 at 15:30 IST, before their final pool-stage game against Chinese Taipei on June 3 at 13:30 IST. The team aims to maintain a high level of performance throughout the tournament.

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