Archive · 8 Nov 2025
Sanjay to Captain India's Young Squad at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
The Indian men's hockey team is going to a tournament in Malaysia called the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
Many of the experienced players, like the captain Harmanpreet Singh and the main goalies, are not playing.
Instead, a younger team will play, with defender Sanjay as the captain.
The coach sees this as a good way to help the team play better together and make good choices during games.
It's also a practice for bigger future events like the World Cup.
India's last win at this tournament was in 2010.
Sanjay will captain India at the 31st Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia from November 23-30.
Several senior players, including regular skipper Harmanpreet Singh and the top two goalkeepers, have been rested.
Young goalkeepers Pawan and Mohith HS will make their national side debut in goal.
Head coach Craig Fulton aims to improve the team's structure, decision-making, and consistency for future tournaments.
India last won the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2010 and were runners-up in 2019.
- Who
- Sanjay will captain a youthful Indian men's hockey team, with several senior players rested.
- What
- India is participating in the 31st Sultan Azlan Shah Cup with a squad focusing on new talent and long-term development.
- When
- November 23-30
- Where
- Ipoh, Malaysia
- Why
- To provide opportunities to a balanced squad, focus on structure, decision-making, and consistency, and prepare for the 2026 World Cup and Asian Games cycles.
Player Selection Rationale
Team Management Perspective
Squad Composition
Player Selection Rationale
Several senior players, including captain Harmanpreet Singh, and the top two goalkeepers, Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera, have been rested.
Team Management Perspective
A youthful and balanced squad is selected to provide opportunities, focus on improving structure, decision-making, and consistency, and serve as preparation for the 2026 World Cup and Asian Games.
- Tournament
- 31st Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
- Dates
- November 23-30
- Location
- Ipoh, Malaysia
- Captain
- Sanjay
- Key Players Rested
- Harmanpreet Singh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Suraj Karkera
- New Goalkeepers
- Pawan, Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar
- Last Won Title
- 2010
- Runner-up Finish
- 2019
