Ketan Kushwaha To Lead India’s U18 Men’s Squad At Asia Cup In Japan

The squad was finalized after a rigorous national coaching camp at the Sports Authority of India’s Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central Centre in Bhopal. Head coach Sardar Singh and coach Rajnish Mishra oversaw preparations, which included a four-match exposure series against Australia U18.

Squad Composition

• Goalkeepers: Sawan Kumar, Ayush Rajak
• Defenders: Ansh Bahutra, Arman Soreng, Ashish Tani Purti, Arshdip Singh, Avi Manikpuri, Romit Pal
• Midfielders: Rahul Yadav, Premchand Soy, Varinder Singh, Karan Gautam, Siddharth Ben
• Forwards: Ketan Kushwaha (Captain), Akash Deep, Gazee Khan, Shahrukh Ali, Prahalad Rajbhar
• Six players hail from Madhya Pradesh, underlining the state’s growing reputation as a hockey nursery.

Tournament Format

• India is placed in Pool A alongside South Korea, hosts Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Kazakhstan.
• May 29: India vs Kazakhstan
• May 31: India vs Japan
• June 1: India vs South Korea
• June 3: India vs Chinese Taipei
• Semi-finals are scheduled for June 5, with the final on June 6.

Preparations And Objectives

India won one, lost one, and drew two matches against Australia U18 during the exposure tour. Coach Sardar Singh emphasized tactical discipline, penalty corner routines, and match structure as key focus areas. He stated the team’s objective is to top the group and aim for the trophy.

Squad And Tournament Highlights

•⁠  ⁠Hockey India announces 18-member squad for U18 Asia Cup 2026

•⁠  ⁠Tournament runs May 29–June 6 in Kakamigahara, Japan

•⁠  ⁠Forward Ketan Kushwaha named captain

•⁠  ⁠Six players selected from Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy

•⁠  ⁠India’s Pool A opponents: Kazakhstan, Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei

•⁠  ⁠Exposure tour against Australia U18 provided match practice

•⁠  ⁠Semi-finals on June 5, final on June 6

Sources: Hockey India, United News of India, The Times of India, Telangana Today, Sportstar