Narinder Batra, former President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and a former member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), expresses his concern regarding the selection of the Indian hockey team for the Azlan Shah Cup. It started when he publicly questioned the fairness of the selection process.
The controversy surrounding the Azlan Shah Cup team selection revolves around the preference for youth over some veteran players.
Azlan Shah Cup Squad Selection Sparks Controversy
India’s squad for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup features a mix of young talent, while several seasoned players, including skipper Harmanpreet Singh, have been rested.
31st Azlan Shah Cup Indian Team Squad
Goalkeepers:
- Pawan
- Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar
Defenders:
- Chandura Boby
- Nilam Sanjeep Xess
- Yashdeep Siwach
- Sanjay (Captain)
- Jugraj Singh
- Amit Rohidas
Midfielders:
- Rajinder Singh
- Raj Kumar Pal
- Nilakanta Sharma
- Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem
- Vivek Sagar Prasad
- Mohammed Raheel Mouseen
Forwards:
- Sukhjeet Singh
- Shilanand Lakra
- Selvam Karthi
- Aditya Arjun Lalage
- Dilpreet Singh
- Abhishek
Stand by players: Varun Kumar, Vishnu Kant Singh, Hardik Singh, and Angad Bir Singh
The response given by Narinder Batra came like a slap shot. Batra added that he is concerned about equity and trust in the selection process.
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Indian hockey men’s Team Squad for Sultan Azlan Shah Cup !!
Finally no Sarpanch & Chote Sarpanch for This tinpot tournament 😊🙂🫡 !!
PC Specialist – Jugraj & Amit !!#HockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/VM6ygqYPA2
— Navin Mittal (@NavinSports) November 8, 2025
He went further, alleging potential behind-the-scenes influence in the selections and directly questioning the roles of Hockey India President Dr Dilip Tirkey and selection committee head Dr R.P. Singh.
Narinder Batra Demands Fair Azlan Shah Cup Selection
The bombshell by Batra has already sparked controversy in Indian hockey circles, leaving the federation on its heels. Furthermore, the fact that he criticized him a few weeks before the tournament puts quite a pressure on the current management, as it is, when the tournament starts on November 23 in Ipoh, Malaysia.
His very words resonated, and Hockey India came to the defence of the selection process. India won the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup last in 2010 and was the runner-up in 2019; therefore, expectations are high.
The questions are now being asked by many in the hockey fraternity to Hockey India. According to Batra, India can only regain this crown through above-board and transparent team selection.
For fans following the tournament closely, live updates and match insights are available at JeetWinSports.in
Hockey India’s Youthful Azlan Shah Squad Faces Skepticism
The official opinion of Hockey India is that the young team is a part of a planned approach. Coach Craig Fulton and the selectors have retired old warhorses in anticipation of future big tournaments, in order to test young talent.
Fulton has gone further to declare this tournament a significant move towards the 2026 World Cup as well as the Asian Games. However, Batra and other critics are concerned that such a good intention is just smoke and mirrors.
The opponents claim that the Azlan Shah Cup is not just an exhibition, it is an invitation, prestigious, and India is its pride. India will have to face the other best sides at an early stage, and hence, any vulnerability in the lineup may be revealed.
Writer’s Thoughts
Ultimately, the Azlan Shah Cup campaign of India has acquired an additional load of anticipation and criticism. There is an off-field drama surrounding the selection process, running alongside the on-field action.
In my position as a hockey reporter, it is a good idea to give young players opportunities; however, these opportunities should be given openly and based on merit. The real test will be when the Indian team finally takes to the turf: their performance will be used to justify the decisions made by Hockey India or amplify the voice of Narinder Batra.
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FAQs
The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is related to which sport?
Field hockey. It’s an annual men’s field hockey tournament held in Malaysia.
What is the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, and why is it important?
It’s a prestigious invitational field hockey tournament. It’s important because it provides high-level competition where teams can test players and strategies outside official championships.
Who is Narinder Batra in Indian hockey?
Narinder Batra is a veteran sports administrator, formerly president of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Why did Narinder Batra criticize the Azlan Shah Cup team selection?
Batra believes the selection process lacked fairness and transparency, suggesting some players were picked or dropped for reasons other than merit.
