New Delhi: India will start as favourites on their home turf in their quest to win the fourth men’s Asia Cup hockey title, but their recent form road to glory won’t be a straightforward one if their recent form is taken into account. The three-time champions will look to make the most of their second opportunity to secure a World Cup berth after failing on their first attempt during the European leg of the FIH Pro League.
The Men in Blue dropped to seventh in the world after a dismal run in Europe, winning just one from eight matches and registering a record seven-game losing streak, the worst in their history.
The Harmanpreet Singh-led India need a massive turnaround in their performance to recover from their dismal recent form, and an opening match against lower-ranked China is an ideal opportunity to start afresh in the continental tournament to be held in Rajgir, Bihar.
India and China are in Pool A with Japan and Kazakhstan, while Pool B comprises title-holders and five-time champions South Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei.
Kazakhstan, set to make their first Asia Cup appearance in over three decades, and Bangladesh replaced Pakistan and Oman after both pulled out from the event.
Pakistan’s withdrawal came due to security reasons in the backdrop of India’s Operation Sindoor following the terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam in April.
The two nations from each pool will qualify for the semifinals. The final will be played on September 7.
With Asia Cup 2025 serving as a direct qualifier for the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium, India will look to qualify for the showpiece event by emerging as the winners in the regional tournament.
The Asia Up 2025 winner will seal an automatic berth, while the teams finishing second to sixth will play in next year’s World Cup qualifiers.
All you need to know about Asia Cup 2025
India schedule and match timings (IST)
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
Teams and groups
Pool A: India, Japan, China, Kazakhstan
Pool B: South Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei
How to watch Asia Cup 2025 hockey in India? Live streaming and broadcast details
The men’s Asia Cup hockey matches will be live telecast on Sony TEN 2 and Sony TEN 2 HD TV channels in India, while live streaming will be available to watch on the SonyLiv app.
India’s squad for Asia Cup 2025
Krishan Pathak (GK), Suraj Karkera, Sumit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh (C), 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