“Every Team Is Here to Win”: Harmanpreet’s Warning as Punjab Gets Ready for a Night of Bhangra, Gatka and Hockey
India go into Tuesday’s Asian Champions Trophy opener as favourites, defending champions, and the home team. Their captain isn’t having any of that talk.
“Every team is here to compete and win the tournament. All the teams are strong, and we do not want to take any opponent lightly. Everyone has come here to give their best,” Harmanpreet Singh said on the eve of the tournament in Jalandhar. “We have gained a lot of experience and matured as a team. We will approach every match with the same mindset and give every opponent the respect they deserve.”
It’s the right message, and it’s not just captain’s talk. The six-team field has teeth. Malaysia arrive as Asian Games runners-up, fresh from pushing India in that final. South Korea finished fourth at the Asian Games and are regular contenders in this part of the world. Japan, twice runners-up in this competition, will want a better showing after finishing fifth at the Asian Games. And Bangladesh, India’s first opponents, will be desperate to show what they’ve learned from their Asian Games meeting with the hosts.
India’s record in this tournament speaks for itself: five titles, in 2011, 2016, 2018 (joint winners with Pakistan), 2023 and 2024. The most recent one came in Hulunbuir, China, where Jugraj Singh scored the only goal of the final against the hosts. Win it again in Punjab and it becomes three in a row, after Chennai in 2023 started this run.
Tuesday night should be quite an occasion before a ball is even hit. The opening ceremony brings Bhangra and Gidha, Gatka exponents showing off the Sikh martial art, a musical performance and a laser show, all before India take on Bangladesh under lights at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium. Entry is free for spectators at both venues across the whole tournament, with fans registering for digital passes through TicketGenie.
One man India will have to do without is Manpreet Singh, ruled out on Monday with a calf injury picked up in training. Vivek Sagar Prasad has taken his place in the squad, and the midfield will have to adjust quickly.
India’s road after Bangladesh runs through China on 29 October, Japan on 30 October, Malaysia on 1 November and South Korea on 2 November, all in Jalandhar. The top four go through to the semi-finals in Mohali on 4 November, with the medal matches on 5 November.
For our money, India should win this. But Harmanpreet’s warning is worth listening to, because tournaments on home soil have a habit of humbling favourites who start believing their own hype. Tuesday night will tell us plenty about which India has turned up.
Related links:
https://sportscursor.com/manpreet-singh-ruled-out-asian-champions-trophy-vivek-sagar-prasad-26-october-2026/
https://sportscursor.com/asian-champions-trophy-2026-opening-day-card-india-bangladesh-26-october-2026/
https://sportscursor.com/bangladesh-final-18-asian-champions-trophy-2026-gerhard-rach-squad/
https://sportscursor.com/live/
