Jalandhar, October 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s men’s hockey team has suffered an injury setback ahead of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, with experienced midfielder Manpreet Singh ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a calf injury during training.
Playmaker Vivek Sagar Prasad has been named as Manpreet’s replacement as India prepare to defend their title on home soil, with the tournament beginning on Tuesday.
“ A calf injury sustained during a training session has ruled out Manpreet Singh from Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026. He has been replaced by fellow playmaker Vivek Sagar Prasad in India squad,” captain Harmanpreet Singh announced during a press conference featuring the skippers of all six participating teams.
The injury is particularly disappointing for Manpreet, who had been looking forward to playing in front of his home-state fans on a pitch in Punjab, where he spent his teenage years learning the sport.
Since making his senior India debut in 2011, Manpreet has played 430 international matches, won two Olympic medals and secured three Asian Games gold medals. Despite his remarkable career, he had yet to play in front of fans in his home state of Punjab.
India will face five other teams in the tournament: Malaysia, Japan, China, South Korea and Bangladesh.
The defending champions will open their campaign against Bangladesh on October 27, followed by matches against China on October 29, Japan on October 30, Malaysia on November 1 and South Korea on November 2.
The league stage will run from October 27 to November 2 in Jalandhar. The tournament will then move to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali, which will host the semi-finals and medal matches on November 4 and 5.
India have won the Asian Champions Trophy a record five times. Among the other teams participating in the ninth edition, South Korea are the only side to have previously lifted the title.
Manpreet’s absence will be a setback for India as they seek to extend their dominance in the competition, while Vivek Sagar Prasad will have an opportunity to step into the experienced midfielder’s role during the title defence.
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