Asian Games 2023: Top contenders - India Men’s Hockey preview, schedule, streaming details, squad

Harmanpreet Singh-led Indian team, who are enjoying a top-notch form currently, will be one of the strongest gold contenders for India in the upcoming Asian Games which will take place in Hangzhou, China from September 23.


The World No. 3 ranked Men in Blue passed the acid test in Chennai as they won their fourth Asian Champions Trophy in August after trouncing a sturdy Malaysia in the final. In addition to the skipper, key players like Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, and Abhishek delivered standout performances during this triumph and will be crucial assets in China.

In Pool A, India will face off against arch-rivals Pakistan, along with Bangladesh, Japan, Uzbekistan, and Singapore. With India's dominant world ranking and recent successes, they enter the competition as favourites.

A significant prize awaits the Indian men's hockey team at the Asian Games: a direct qualification berth for the next Olympics, should they secure their first gold since 2014.

Their journey begins with a match against Uzbekistan on September 24, and the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash is scheduled for September 30.

All hockey matches will be held at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium, with the men's final set for October 6th.

Hockey men's squad

PR Sreejesh, Krishan Pathak, Varun Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Sanjay, Sumit, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh (vice-captain), Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Shamsher Singh, Abhishek, Gurjant Singh, Mandeep Singh, Sukhjeet Singh and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay.

Where to watch-

The Asian Games will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network and can be streamed online on the Sony lIV App.

Hockey men's schedule-

All in Indian Standard Time (IST)

September 24, Sunday: India vs Uzbekistan - 8:45 AM
September 26, Tuesday: India vs Singapore - 6:30 AM
September 28, Thursday: India vs Japan - 6:15 PM
September 30, Saturday: India vs Pakistan - 6:15 PM
October 2, Monday: India vs Bangladesh - 1:15 PM
October 4, Wednesday: 11/12 and 9/10 classification matches and semi-finals - 7:45 AM onwards
October 6, Friday: 7/8, 5/6 and 3/4 classification matches and final - 7:45 AM onwards