Hockey India announced a 20-member squad on Tuesday, 10 November, for the Madhya Pradesh Women's Asian Champions Trophy Bhopal 2026. The tournament will be played from 19 to 28 November at the newly built International Sports Complex in Nathu Barkheda, Bhopal, according to a report by The Statesman.
Midfielder Salima Tete continues as captain of the side. She leads a squad that will defend the title India won in 2024, as the team chases a fourth Asian Champions Trophy title after wins in 2016, 2023 and 2024.
Veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia has been rested for the tournament. Savita captained India to Asian Games gold in Japan last month, where her penalty-stroke save against China helped secure the title and direct qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics, according to the report.
Goalkeeping duties in her absence will fall to Bansari Solanki and Bichu Devi Kharibam. Both have been named in the squad as the two goalkeepers for the home tournament.
A first test since the Asian Games
The tournament is India's first international assignment since the Asian Games gold, according to the report. That makes it an early test of how the team moves on from its biggest win of the year.
Head coach Sjoerd Marijne will lead the side into the tournament. His task is to blend the experience of the Asian Games winners with the younger players in the squad, and to keep the team's standards high on home turf.
Six teams will take part in the tournament: India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and South Korea. The format gives India five group matches before the semi-finals and medal matches.
India open their campaign against Malaysia on 19 November. They then play South Korea on 21 November, Thailand on 22 November, China on 24 November and Japan on 25 November, with the semi-finals on 27 November and the medal matches on 28 November.
Why this tournament matters
As defending champions playing at home, India start as one of the favourites. A fourth title would extend a strong recent record in the competition and confirm the progress the team has made under Marijne.
The tournament also matters as preparation for the road to the LA 2028 Olympics. With Olympic qualification already secured through the Asian Games, India can use this event to test combinations and give younger players experience at international level.
China, who India beat in the Asian Games final, will be among the strongest challengers, alongside Japan and South Korea. The group match against China on 24 November is likely to be one of the key games of the tournament.
Playing at a newly built venue in Bhopal adds to the occasion. The International Sports Complex at Nathu Barkheda will host its first major international hockey tournament, and a home crowd is expected to back the defending champions.
