Harmanpreet’s family have never seen him play for India in a stadium. That changes in Jalandhar

Think about that for a second.

Harmanpreet Singh has captained India, won back-to-back Asian Games golds, scored in finals. And his father has never sat in a stadium and watched him play for his country.

That ends this month in Punjab.

A home tournament, properly at home

The Asian Champions Trophy runs from 27 October to 5 November, split between Jalandhar and Mohali. The league stage sits at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, then the semi-finals on 4 November and the medal matches on 5 November move to Mohali.

Harmanpreet called it a special occasion for the whole team, and especially for the Punjab boys in the squad, because it’s the first time they’ll wear the India shirt at an international tournament in their own state. His whole family is expected to be in the stands together.

For a state that produced Udham Singh, Balbir Singh Sr and, in this generation, Manpreet and Harmanpreet himself, that’s not a small thing. Punjab doesn’t just watch hockey. It raised it.

The hockey itself is no ceremony

Sentiment aside, India have a title to defend. They’re the most successful side in this tournament’s history with five titles, and they start at home, in front of that crowd, as clear favourites.

The format gives nobody a hiding place. Six teams: India, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan and Bangladesh. Everybody plays everybody once, top four go to the semi-finals. One flat week and you’re scrambling.

India open against Bangladesh in Jalandhar on 27 October. On paper, that’s the kindest start they could ask for. But Bangladesh took Pakistan’s place in this field and they’ll play like a side with nothing to lose, because they haven’t.

Our take? India should win this tournament. Anything less at home, with this squad, would feel like a miss. The interesting fight is behind them, where Malaysia, Japan and South Korea all fancy the other final spot.