India to miss the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh

India will miss the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia later this month, with the 32nd edition of the invitational tournament going ahead without last year's runners-up. The tournament runs from 20 to 28 November in Ipoh, and India finished second in 2025 after losing 1-0 to Belgium in the final. Belgium, the defending champions, will also be absent from this year's edition.

India's absence is linked to a packed calendar, with the Hockey India Senior Men's National Championship and preparations for the Hockey India League falling in the same window. The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is an invitational event and does not award FIH Pro League ranking points, which made it easier for India to skip this year.