India kicks off their 11th Men's Asia Cup campaign when they face staunch rivals Pakistan in their opening group stage match at the GBK Hockey Field in Jakarta, Indonesia on May 23. As many as 10 debutants are a part of the squad this time around, and with the team's skipper Rupinder Pal Singh ruled out of the competition, experienced defender Birendra Lakra is set to lead the team. The teams in their group (other than Pakistan) are Japan and host Indonesia.
The Indian men's hockey team has been very successful in this competition. They are currently the defending champions, having beaten Malaysia 2-1 in the final. They have won the trophy thrice in their 10-year-history in the competition, although all of their victories in the competition have come only in the 2000s.
Runners up medals in the first four editions
India were the side to beat in the first few editions of the competition. However, one side that got the better of them in the first three Asia Cups were bitter rivals Pakistan.
The first edition in 1982 was a round-robin, and India lost only one match, against Pakistan. The same two sides reached the finals of the 1985 and 1989 tournaments, and India lost both of them, 3-2 and 2-0 respectively.
The first time that Pakistan did not reach the final was in 1994, but this time, it was South Korea who were the champions, beating India 1–0 in the final.
India dominance begins
After finishing third in the 1999 edition of the Asia Cup, India have not finished in the top two only once -- in 2009 when they finished at the bottom of their respective Pool, behind China and eventual runners-up Pakistan.
Before that, the Indian hockey team won two consecutive titles in 2003 and 2007, beating Pakistan 4-2 and South Korea 7-2. And after their debacle in 2009, they reached the final yet again but lost to South Korea 4-3.
India are favourites to win the competition yet again. Moreover, there is a lot of incentive for all the participants as the top three teams who have not yet qualified, will book their place in the 2023 Men's FIH Hockey World Cup.
With this in mind, the young Indian squad will look to give their everything and try to do better than the women's hockey team, who secured the bronze medal at the same competition.
