Fresh from their historic Asian Games gold medal triumph in Japan, the Indian women’s hockey team will begin its next assignment with a familiar target but a reshaped combination as Hockey India announced a 20-member squad for the Madhya Pradesh Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Bhopal 2026 on Tuesday. While Salima Tete retains the captaincy, the absence of veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia and the inclusion of Bansari Solanki headline the selection ahead of India’s title defence on home soil.
The tournament will be held from November 19 to 28 at the newly constructed International Sports Complex in Nathu Barkheda, Bhopal. India enters the competition as defending champions and three-time winners, having lifted the trophy in 2016, 2023 and 2024. The hosts will now aim to secure another continental title after finishing their Asian Games campaign at the top of the podium. The squad announcement also signals an opportunity for the coaching staff to assess the team’s depth and tactical flexibility.
Head coach Sjoerd Marijne has indicated that certain players could be tested in unfamiliar positions during the competition, making the tournament an important platform for experimentation alongside the pursuit of silverware. One of the biggest talking points from the selection announcement is the absence of experienced goalkeeper Savita Punia, who played a crucial role in India’s Asian Games gold medal campaign.
Bansari Solanki and Bichu Devi Kharibam have been selected as the two goalkeeping options for the tournament. The decision provides Bansari with an opportunity to strengthen her credentials at the international level while Bichu Devi continues in the national setup. Meanwhile, Tete will continue to marshal the midfield and lead the side. The experienced midfielder will be expected to provide stability and direction as India look to carry their recent success into another demanding competition.
Explaining the team’s approach, Marijne said, “This is the moment I want to give other players the chance to showcase their talent on the international stage. Some players will be playing in different positions than they normally do, so that I can see how they perform in a different role,” He added, “We are excited to play in front of the home crowd and finish the year well.”
India Women’s Hockey Squad for Asian Champions Trophy 2026
Goalkeepers: Bansari Solanki, Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Jyoti, Jyoti Singh, Sushila Chanu, Lalthantluangi, Pooja Sahoo
Midfielders: Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (C), Neha, Sakshi Rana, Baljeet Kaur, Ishika
Forwards: Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Beauty Dungdung, Lalremsiami, Mumtaz Khan.
India Face Malaysia in Tournament Opener
The six-team competition will feature India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and South Korea. Each side will play the other five teams once in the round-robin league stage, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals.
India will open their campaign against Malaysia on November 19, followed by encounters against South Korea on November 21, Thailand on November 22, China on November 24 and Japan on November 25. The semi-finals are scheduled for November 27, with the bronze-medal match and final taking place on November 28. India’s selection presents an interesting combination of continuity and experimentation. While the core of the Asian Games-winning side remains important to the team’s plans, Savita Punia’s absence and Marijne’s intention to test players in different roles suggest that the coaching staff are also looking beyond immediate results.
With China and South Korea among the major contenders, India will face a competitive examination despite entering as defending champions. Notably, South Korea have also won the tournament three times, matching India’s title tally. Playing in Bhopal offers India the advantage of home support, but it also brings expectations. For Tete and her teammates, the challenge will be to translate their Asian Games success into another consistent campaign.
The upcoming tournament is therefore more than a title defence. It is an opportunity for India to strengthen squad depth, assess emerging combinations and establish themselves as the dominant force in Asian women’s hockey heading into the next international cycle.
