Indian hockey defender Jarmanpreet Singh has made it clear that he has no plans to retire after the Asian Champions Trophy, despite reports that Hockey India is preparing to phase out four senior players as part of its build-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Jarmanpreet's inclusion in the list of four players expected to make way came as a surprise, with several former players believing the 30-year-old had done enough to continue until at least the Los Angeles Olympics. The wing-back has established himself as one of India's most dependable players in the role, combining a high work rate with attacking threat and defensive discipline.

The defender, who was part of India's bronze medal-winning campaign at the Paris Olympics, told PTI that he wants to continue playing for India and represent the country at the Los Angeles Games. Jarmanpreet, along with Mandeep Singh, Amit Rohidas and Nilakanta Sharma, is understood to be among the senior players who could feature in their final assignment for India at the Asian Champions Trophy.

"I want to continue playing and perform well at the Los Angeles Olympics. I want to do my best for the team," Jarmanpreet told PTI.

Hockey India is understood to be planning a gradual transition in the squad with an eye on LA 2028. India secured qualification for the Olympics by winning gold at the 2026 Asian Games, giving the team more than a year to prepare for the Games.

Jarmanpreet, however, is determined to remain part of that journey.

"Qualifying for the Olympics by winning the gold medal at the Asian Games is a big achievement for our team. It is a great opportunity for us, and we are well prepared for the Los Angeles Olympics," he said.

"After this tournament, we will begin our preparations for LA. I want the team to perform well there and win the gold medal," he added.

JARMANPREET'S VALUE

Jarmanpreet's case for continuing until the Los Angeles Olympics is strengthened by the role he has made his own over the course of his career. India have tried other players at wing-back, but few have matched the combination of work rate, attacking contribution and defensive acumen that the 30-year-old brings to the position.

Those qualities made him a favourite of head coach Craig Fulton during his tenure, with Jarmanpreet regularly among the first names on the team sheet. His ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch has made him an important part of India's structure, making the prospect of phasing him out a talking point among former players.

Jarmanpreet has earned 171 international caps and was a key member of India's Paris Olympics bronze medal-winning side. He also has two Asian Games gold medals, having been part of the title-winning teams in 2022 and 2026.

The Arjuna Award recipient believes he has continued to develop as a defender and wants to build on those improvements rather than bring his international career to an end.

"I have tried to improve my defensive skills, create good opportunities and contribute to the team's performance. I will continue to work on my responsibilities as a defender and try to improve further," he said.

HARMANPREET DISMISSES REPORTS

India captain Harmanpreet Singh has also pushed back against speculation that the four senior players are set to retire after the Asian Champions Trophy. Speaking at the pre-tournament press conference on Monday, Harmanpreet described the reports as rumours and said the matter had not been discussed within the team.

"I don't think it is a right news and we didn't discuss anything on these lines within the team. I think these are rumours," Harmanpreet said.

JARMANPREET EYES ACT TITLE

India, five-time champions and the highest-ranked team in the Asian Champions Trophy, will enter the tournament as favourites. But Jarmanpreet cautioned against complacency, insisting that the team would need to approach every match with the same intensity despite its recent success at the Asian Games.

"We have recently won the gold medal at the Asian Games, and we want to perform well here too. But we cannot take any team lightly, although India is a powerhouse in hockey," he said.

"We are playing at full strength and are the number one team in Asia, but we will not underestimate any opponent. We will approach the tournament one match at a time. Every team comes here to give its best, and we will also strive to perform well as a team," he added.

The tournament also marks a significant occasion for Punjab, with international hockey returning to the state after 17 years. The last international tournament held in Punjab was the Gold Cup in 2009.

Punjab has long been a centre of Indian hockey, producing several generations of players, and more than half of the current Indian squad hails from the state. For Jarmanpreet, playing the tournament on home ground adds to the occasion.

"This is a great opportunity for Punjab and its players to play on their home ground, especially at a place where many of us started playing hockey. I thank Hockey India and the Punjab government for giving us this opportunity. I think our team is well prepared for this tournament," he said.

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