Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has questioned India’s decision to field its established players at the Asian Champions Trophy after their Asian Games gold medal triumph. He believes the tournament presents an opportunity to test the team’s bench strength and prepare younger players for the challenges ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Asian Champions Trophy will be India’s third major tournament in roughly three months, following the World Cup and the Asian Games. With only around two weeks between the World Cup and the Asian Games, followed by a gap of just three weeks before the Asian Champions Trophy, Sreejesh has questioned whether the squad needs another demanding campaign with its key players.
“We’ve won Asian Games gold, yet we’re back with our best players for the Asian Champions Trophy. Is this tournament really worth the risk of exhausting our key players when bigger challenges lie ahead?” Sreejesh wrote in a post on X.
“Even Pakistan isn’t participating! Why not rest our stars, test our bench strength, and give young players a real opportunity to prove themselves?” he added.
He also questioned whether the team’s approach was driven by long-term planning or the pursuit of another trophy, while raising concerns about the chief coach’s position and the possibility of senior players approaching the end of their international careers.
“Do we have a genuine second line-up, or are we simply afraid to test it? Or is another trophy the perfect way for the chief coach to secure another two years in the hot seat? We are 8th in the world ranking. Are we building a team for the future, or protecting positions in the present?” he added.
FOUR SENIORS AND THE FAREWELL QUESTION
Sreejesh’s remarks about a possible farewell tournament come amid reports that Mandeep Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh and Nilakanta Sharma could be playing their final matches for India during the Asian Champions Trophy as Hockey India looks to refresh the squad ahead of the Olympics.
“Or, as the rumour goes, is this tournament a platform for some big names to say goodbye? If that’s the real plan, then I genuinely appreciate it! Legends deserve a proper farewell!” Sreejesh wrote.
However, reports have suggested that the four players were caught off guard by the news and had not been consulted. Their reported desire to continue representing India has added another layer to the questions surrounding the team’s transition.
INDIA’S TRANSITION AHEAD OF LA 2028
India have made some room for fresh faces in the squad, with young defender Amandeep Lakra and forward Aditya Arjun Lalage receiving opportunities, while goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak has returned to the side. However, the core of the Asian Games-winning team remains intact.
The tournament will also mark the return of international hockey to Punjab, with matches scheduled in Jalandhar and Mohali.
Sreejesh’s message is that winning another title should not come at the expense of preparing the next generation.
“Trophies are important. Building a team that keeps winning is even more important,” he wrote.
With India having secured direct qualification for the 2028 Olympics through their Asian Games triumph, the Asian Champions Trophy, which begins on October 27 offers an opportunity to assess the squad’s depth while maintaining their competitive edge.
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