Top five Indian players to watch out for at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025

India has won the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup five times.

The much-awaited Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025 is set to take place from November 23 to 30. The Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia will serve as the host to the competition.

Belgium, Canada, New Zealand, India, Ireland and Malaysia will be the six participating teams. Meanwhile, defending champions, Japan, did not receive an invitation for the 2025 edition.

Notably, India last participated in the 2019 edition, where they emerged as the runner-up. Mandeep Singh was the top-scorer for the side with seven goals. The Indian contingent has won the title five times, with the last one coming in 2010.

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh has been rested from the tournament; with defender Sanjay set to lead the side. However, most of the players from the Asia Cup 2025 winning side will be determined to continue their impressive form and help India achieve their sixth title.

𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐒!💪The next chapter begins as our Indian Men’s Hockey Team heads to Malaysia for the 31st Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025!🏑#HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/Cj9kSx6jxd

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 17, 2025

Let’s take a look at the top Indian players to watch out for at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025. 

Indian players to watch in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025

#5 Amit Rohidas – Defender

The experienced defender, Amit Rohidas, has over 200 caps under his belt and will play an important role in helping the side remain calm during crunch situations. In recent years, he has played a key part in India’s success stories in the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

Rohidas, one of the finest first rushers in the world, will look to be potent with his performance in the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup. The recent 2025 Asia Cup also witnessed Rohidas scoring two goals and has been in fine form.

#4 Jugraj Singh – Dragflicker

Jugraj is an emerging dragflicker, who has been part of the Indian side in the last two to three years. He garnered a total of 12 goals in the Hero Hockey India League 2024/25 season with Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, while scoring a winning hattrick in the final against the Hyderabad Toofans.

Also Read: Indian men’s hockey team embarks on campaign for Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025 in Malaysia

Jugraj impressed with his goal-scoring abilities in the 2025 Asia Cup. He scored four goals, with three of them coming in India’s 15-0 win over Kazakhstan. It will be interesting to see if he can maintain his consistency in winning games for his respective side.

#3 Dilpreet Singh – Forward

Another talented performer, Dilpreet Singh has been contributing well for the Indian hockey team in the recent years. With 107 caps to his name, Dilpreet has been a reliable contributor for the Men in Blue.

During the 2025 Asia Cup, Dilpreet scored four goals, with two of them coming in the final against South Korea.

#2 Sukhjeet Singh – Forward

Sukhjeet Singh is another talented forward who is expected to play a pivotal role in helping the Indian team finish as the winners due to his appetite to score goals in pressure situations.

Sukhjeet was the second-highest scorer for the country in the 2025 Asia Cup with six goals. If he can maintain the same intensity, he will be crucial in helping the Indian side prevail over their opponents by a fair margin.

#1 Abhishek Nain

Abhishek has been the most consistent scorer for the Indian team after Harmanpreet Singh. His performance will surely decide whether the country can manage to win their sixth Sultan Azlan Shah Cup title.

Abhishek scored six goals in the 2025 Asia Cup and was named as the Player of the Tournament. Meanwhile, he was the team’s joint-highest goal-scorer in the FIH Pro League 2024-25 as well with six goals. 

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