A swansong for four Indian hockey seniors at the Asian Champions Trophy

Mandeep Singh (Image credit: X) For some of India’s Olympic medallists, the Asian Trophy could be the last march in the national colours. As international hockey returns to Punjab after 17 years, the tournament will begin a changing of the guard later this month, with at least four senior players facing departures as India begin rebuilding for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.Harmanpreet Singh will continue to lead India, who clinched the Asian Games gold in Japan to secure their place in the Olympics. But the tournament, which starts in Jalandhar on October 27 and ends in Mohali on November 5, will be the final assignment in India colors for Mandeep Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas and Nilakanta Sharma, according to sources.All four, who are in their 30s, have participated in India’s Olympic bronze medals in the previous two editions. Hockey India chairman of selection committee RP Singh declined to name the players but confirmed that at least half a dozen could feature in their final matches for India at the ACT.“It’s time to get fresh legs in the team. I can’t name the players but they have been informed about the situation. We believe they deserve an honorable exit. With Punjab hosting the international tournament after almost two decades, it is only fitting that some of them go home,” Singh told TOI.“The Olympics are less than two years away and it gives the coaches plenty of time to adjust,” he added. Singh also said that a squad made up of the remaining senior players and fresh faces will travel to New Zealand in November, giving head coach Craig Fulton an opportunity to assess the young talent in overseas conditions. India is the defending ACT champion.team:Goalkeepers: Suraj Karkera; Krishan Pathak; Defenders: Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh (c), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amandeep Lakra; Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Aditya Lalage, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh; Forwards: Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh.