India Target Record Sixth Asian Champions Trophy Title in Punjab

New Delhi, Oct 12 : India will look to extend their dominance in the men's Asian Champions Trophy as they defend their title in Punjab from October 27 to November 5, with the hosts aiming for a record sixth crown in the tournament's ninth edition.

The competition will be held in Jalandhar and Mohali, offering India an opportunity to strengthen their position as the most successful team in the tournament's history. India have won five titles in the eight editions held so far.

The Indian team will enter the competition after successfully defending their Asian Games gold medal earlier this year, hoping to continue their impressive run on the continental stage.

India won the inaugural edition of the tournament in Ordos, China, in 2011. They defeated Pakistan 4-2 in a shootout after the final ended goalless, becoming the first champions in the six-team competition.

India secured their second title in 2016 in Kuantan, Malaysia, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan 3-2 in the final. Rupinder Pal Singh, Affan Yousuf and Nikkin Thimmaiah scored the goals that helped India lift the trophy.

The 2018 edition in Muscat, Oman, ended with India and Pakistan being declared joint champions after persistent rain prevented the final from being completed. The result took India's title tally to three.

India returned to the top in 2023 when Chennai hosted the tournament for the first time. In a thrilling final, the hosts staged a remarkable comeback against Malaysia, recovering from a 1-3 half-time deficit to secure a 4-3 victory at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium.

Harmanpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh and Akashdeep Singh scored in the final 16 minutes as India turned the match around to clinch their fourth title and establish themselves as the tournament's most successful team outright.

India added a fifth crown in 2024 in Hulunbuir, China, beating the hosts 1-0 in the final at the Moqi Hockey Training Base. Jugraj Singh scored the decisive goal to help India successfully defend their title and consolidate their position at the top of the honours list.

With five championships already to their name, India will look to make the most of home support in Punjab as they pursue another title. The 2026 edition presents the defending champions with an opportunity to extend their record and continue their successful journey in the continental tournament, which began with the inaugural edition in 2011.