27 October 2026 (Navroze Bureau) India’s men’s hockey team is set for a fresh phase of squad selection, with head coach Craig Fulton planning a new training group for the next season as preparations intensify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The plan is aimed at giving younger players opportunities while retaining the experience needed to compete against the world’s leading hockey teams.
Fulton’s comments come as India prepares for the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, scheduled to take place in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5. The tournament marks the return of international hockey to Punjab after a gap of more than 17 years and will also serve as an important stage before the team moves into its next phase of preparation.
According to reports, India will select a younger group for a three-match tour of New Zealand after the Asian Champions Trophy. The players will subsequently reunite for the Hockey India League, while the squad for the FIH Pro League matches in India in February will be finalised later.
Craig Fulton Plans a Fresh Start
Fulton has indicated that the coming months will provide an opportunity to assess the available talent and build a squad suited to India’s future international commitments. Several senior players are expected to be rested for the New Zealand tour, creating opportunities for younger players to demonstrate their ability at the international level.
The coach has stressed that a transition cannot simply involve replacing experienced players with younger alternatives. Instead, India needs to maintain a balance between established internationals and emerging talent, particularly in key positions where experience can make a difference during high-pressure matches.
Fulton’s approach is focused on building depth across the squad, improving competition for places and identifying combinations that can deliver consistent results. The selection process is part of a longer-term plan to prepare India for the 2028 Olympics rather than concentrating only on immediate tournaments.
The coach has not confirmed that any particular senior player will be dropped or asked to retire. The planned changes should therefore be viewed as an opportunity for reassessment and development, rather than a confirmed overhaul of the existing team.
World Cup Exit and Asian Games Gold
India’s recent international performances have provided contrasting lessons for the coaching staff. At the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup in August, India failed to reach the semi-finals as Germany, Argentina and Spain advanced to the last four. The result highlighted the need to convert scoring opportunities more consistently against top-level opposition.
Fulton acknowledged that India had opportunities but failed to make the most of them. He also pointed out that the competition among leading men’s hockey teams has become increasingly tight, making small mistakes and missed chances particularly costly.
India responded with a strong campaign at the 2026 Asian Games, successfully defending its men’s hockey gold medal. The team navigated difficult knockout matches, including a tense semi-final against Pakistan, before securing the title.
For Fulton, the Asian Games demonstrated the value of the existing group’s experience and consistency. The challenge now is to preserve those strengths while building a deeper pool of players capable of competing at the highest level.
The scheduling of the World Cup and Asian Games also complicated selection decisions. India had to submit its Asian Games squad well in advance, before the World Cup results could be used to inform the final choices.
Younger Players to Get Opportunities
The upcoming New Zealand tour is expected to provide an important opportunity for emerging players from India’s wider hockey setup. India has promising talent in the India A squad and Under-21 programme, giving the coaching staff a pool of players to assess for future senior-team roles.
The intention is to test younger players in international matches while allowing established members of the senior team to manage their workload. Such opportunities can help the coaching staff evaluate how emerging players respond to the pace, physical demands and tactical challenges of international hockey.
However, the selection process will not be limited to age alone. Players will need to demonstrate their form, consistency and ability to fit into the team’s tactical system. The coaching staff will also have to consider how different combinations perform against varied opposition.
A gradual transition could help India avoid losing the experience and leadership that have contributed to recent success. At the same time, a broader selection pool would give the team more options when injuries, fatigue or scheduling conflicts affect availability.
Focus Shifts Towards Los Angeles 2028
India’s longer-term objective is to build a squad capable of challenging for a medal at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. With the Olympic tournament approaching, the coaching staff will need to plan training blocks, international exposure and player development well in advance.
Fulton has also stressed the importance of arranging more international practice matches in 2027. With the FIH Pro League expected to be the main major international competition on India’s calendar that year, additional games could help the team sharpen its style of play and test different combinations.
The plan is to reinforce the basics, improve decision-making and provide opportunities to a wider group of players. Regular match practice would also allow the coaching staff to assess whether new combinations can maintain the standards expected of the Indian team.
For now, India’s immediate focus remains the Asian Champions Trophy in Punjab. The tournament will give the team a chance to compete at home before the next round of squad selection begins.
Fulton’s plans signal a period of evaluation and development for Indian men’s hockey. By combining experienced internationals with emerging players, India will aim to build the depth and consistency required for its next Olympic campaign.