Indian midfielder Nilakanta to retire from international hockey after Asian Champions Trophy 2026
FILE PHOTO: Nilakanta Sharma (blue jersey) was a member of the Indian squad which ended the 41-year wait for an Olympic medal with a bronze in Tokyo in 2021. | Photo Credit: Hockey India
FILE PHOTO: Nilakanta Sharma (blue jersey) was a member of the Indian squad which ended the 41-year wait for an Olympic medal with a bronze in Tokyo in 2021. | Photo Credit: Hockey India
Indian midfielder Nilakanta Sharma wil retire from international hockey after the Asian Champions Trophy, which began in Jalandhar on Tuesday.
He played and scored in his 163rd match as reigning champion India took down Bangladesh 13-0 in its tournament opener. The final of the event is scheduled to be held on November 5.
Nilakanta was a member of the Indian squad which ended the 41-year wait for an Olympic medal with a bronze in Tokyo in 2021.
ONE LAST TIME IN INDIAN COLOURS. 🇮🇳❤️ After years of giving his all for Team India, Nilakanta Sharma will bid farewell to international hockey after the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026. One final chapter. Let's give him the farewell he deserves. 🥹🇮🇳 #HockeyIsBack #HACT2026 #SatSriAkalAsia #IndiaKaGame
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 27, 2026
The 31-year-old Nilakanta, who hails from Manipur, made his international debut in 2017.
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