Key points
- Hockey India announced a 20-member Indian women's squad on November 10 for the Madhya Pradesh Women's Asian Champions Trophy Bhopal 2026, scheduled from November 19 to 28.
- Midfielder Salima Tete will captain the defending champions, while veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia has been rested and Bansari Solanki joins Bichu Devi Kharibam in the goalkeeping group.
- Head coach Sjoerd Marijne said the tournament will give players opportunities to showcase their ability in different positions.
- Rutuja Dadaso Pisal moves from forward to midfield, Nikki Pradhan is listed in defence and Ishika is shifted from defence to midfield.
- The six participating teams are India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and South Korea; the top four after the round-robin league qualify for the semifinals.
- India begin against Malaysia on November 19, then play South Korea on November 21, Thailand on November 22, China on November 24 and Japan on November 25.
Hockey India has announced a 20-member Indian women's squad for the Madhya Pradesh Women's Asian Champions Trophy Bhopal 2026, with midfielder Salima Tete continuing as captain and veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia rested for the tournament. Bansari Solanki and Bichu Devi Kharibam are the two goalkeepers named in the team for the competition, which will be held from November 19 to 28 in Bhopal.
The announcement, made on November 10, comes as India prepare for their first international tournament after winning gold at the Asian Games in Japan last month. India enter the competition as defending champions and will look to extend their strong record in the continental event on home soil.
Savita Punia rested, Bansari Solanki named
The absence of experienced goalkeeper Savita Punia is the most prominent change in the squad. Reports on the selection say Punia has been rested, with Bansari Solanki brought in alongside Bichu Devi Kharibam. The selection gives the coaching staff an opportunity to assess its goalkeeping options ahead of the next phase of the international calendar.
Salima Tete will lead the side once again. The midfielder captains a squad that includes established international players as well as athletes who will be assessed in different roles during the tournament. Hockey India has named six defenders, seven midfielders and five forwards, in addition to the two goalkeepers.
The squad includes Nikki Pradhan, Jyoti, Jyoti Singh, Sushila Chanu, Lalthantluangi and Pooja Sahoo in defence. The midfield group features Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Sunelita Toppo, Tete, Neha, Sakshi Rana, Baljeet Kaur and Ishika. Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Beauty Dungdung, Lalremsiami and Mumtaz Khan are the forwards.
Marijne plans positional experiments
Head coach Sjoerd Marijne has indicated that the tournament will be used to test players in roles different from their usual positions. He said the competition offers an opportunity for more players to demonstrate their ability on the international stage and for the coaching staff to assess how they adapt to new responsibilities.
Some of the changes are already reflected in the squad list. Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, who featured as a forward during the Asian Games, has been moved into midfield. Nikki Pradhan is listed among the defenders, while Ishika has shifted from defence to midfield.
Marijne said the team is looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd and finishing the year strongly. The tournament will therefore serve both as a title defence and as an opportunity to evaluate squad depth after India's Asian Games success.
India begin title defence against Malaysia
Six teams will take part in the Bhopal tournament: India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and South Korea. The competition will begin with a round-robin league in which every team plays the other five once. The top four sides at the end of that stage will advance to the semifinals.
China, the highest-ranked team in Asia, will face Thailand in the opening match on November 19. India will begin their campaign against Malaysia later that day, following the opening ceremony. The hosts then meet South Korea on November 21, Thailand on November 22, China on November 24 and Japan on November 25.
The semifinals are scheduled for November 27, while the third-place match and final will be played on November 28. All matches will take place at the newly built International Sports Complex in Nathu Barkheda, Bhopal.
Defending champions aim to build on Asian Games gold
India have won the Women's Asian Champions Trophy in 2016, 2023 and 2024. South Korea have also lifted the title three times, making the two teams the most successful sides in the competition's history according to Hockey India's announcement. India will be aiming to add another trophy while carrying the confidence of their recent Asian Games triumph into the home event.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey described the tournament as an important opportunity to build on the team's Asian Games momentum. He said playing in front of home supporters would motivate the players and expressed confidence that the side would produce a strong performance.
Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh also highlighted the significance of hosting leading Asian teams in Madhya Pradesh. He said the team would be determined to maintain its winning momentum as defending champions and looked forward to strong support from hockey fans across the state.
For India, the Bhopal campaign brings together the immediate challenge of defending a continental title and the longer-term task of strengthening the squad. The selection changes, particularly in goalkeeping and positional roles, will be closely watched as Marijne assesses his options through the group stage.
Frequently asked questions
Who will captain India at the Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2026?
Midfielder Salima Tete will continue as captain of the Indian women's team for the Madhya Pradesh Women's Asian Champions Trophy Bhopal 2026. India enter the tournament as defending champions after winning the title in 2024.
Why is Savita Punia missing from India's squad?
Hockey India has left veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia out of the 20-member squad, with reports saying she has been rested for the tournament. Bansari Solanki and Bichu Devi Kharibam are the two goalkeepers named for India's campaign.
When and where will the Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2026 be played?
The tournament will be held from November 19 to 28 at the International Sports Complex in Nathu Barkheda, Bhopal. Six teams will compete, with the top four advancing from the round-robin league to the semifinals.
Who are India's opponents in the Women's Asian Champions Trophy?
India open against Malaysia on November 19, then face South Korea on November 21, Thailand on November 22, China on November 24 and Japan on November 25. The semifinal matches are scheduled for November 27, followed by the final and third-place match on November 28.
What positional changes has coach Sjoerd Marijne made to India's squad?
Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, who played as a forward at the Asian Games, has been moved to midfield. Nikki Pradhan is listed as a defender, while Ishika has shifted from defence to midfield. Coach Sjoerd Marijne said he wants to assess players in different roles.