India, Sept. 19 -- The Indian men's hockey team will begin their campaign at the Asian Games as the undisputed powerhouse of the continent, but with a distinct point to prove. Having secured gold at Hangzhou in 2023, along with triumphs in last year's Asia Cup and the last two Asian Champions Trophy tournaments, their regional dominance is unquestioned.

However, the sting of a premature exit at the World Cup in August, where they failed to reach the semi-finals despite being the only team to podium at the last two Olympics, still lingers.

For skipper Harmanpreet Singh and his squad, this campaign is about much more than just retaining a title; it is about redemption and securing a direct berth to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The inter...