Seeking a hat-trick of titles, India commence their campaign against Sri Lanka in the seventh junior men's Asia Cup hockey tournament, at Malacca, Malaysia, from May 3 to 13.
India is placed in Group B along with arch-rivals Pakistan, Sri Lanka and China, while Group A comprises Korea, Malaysia, Japan and Iran.
India plays the Lankans on the second day of the competition, May 4, followed by games against Pakistan on May 6 and China on May 7.
Having won the last two editions at Karachi and Chennai in 2004 and 2008 respectively, India start as favourites.
The tournament will also serve as the qualifier for the FIH Junior Asia Cup, in 2013.
The Indian team will be captained by striker Akashdeep Singh while defender Amit Rohidas is his deputy.
Schedule:
May 3: Korea vs Japan (Pool A); Malaysia vs Iran (Pool A).
May 4: Pakistan vs China (Pool B); India vs Sri Lanka (Pool B).
May 5: Japan vs Iran (Pool A); Malaysia vs Korea (Pool A).
May 6: China vs Sri Lanka (Pool B); India vs Pakistan (Pool B); Korea vs Iran (Pool A).
May 7: China vs India (Pool B); Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (Pool B); Japan vs Malaysia (Pool A).
May 8: Rest Day
May 9: Positions 5-8: 3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool B; 3rd Pool B vs 4th Pool A.
May 10: Positions 1-4: 1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool B; 1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool A.
May 11: Rest Day
May 12: Position 7-8 - Loser Match 13 vs Loser Match 14; Position 5-6 - Winner Match 13 vs Winner Match 14.
May 13: Position 3-4 - Loser Match 15 vs Loser Match 16; Position 1-2 - Winner Match 15 vs Winner Match 16.
