From 3rd at Olympics to 8th at World Cup: What’s ailing Indian hockey? | In Focus Podcast
The Indian men's hockey team is facing scrutiny after a disappointing eighth-place finish at the World Cup despite recent Olympic success. Analysts are questioning the team's defensive strategy and overall performance ahead of the upcoming Asian Games.
Why it matters
The performance raises concerns about the sustainability of India's recent hockey resurgence and the effectiveness of current coaching strategies.
Much was expected from the Indian men’s hockey team after back to back bronze medals at the highest level of the sport – the Olympic Games. The core of the team that took part in the recently concluded World Cup was the same as the one that medalled at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Yet we struggled against the top teams at the recently concluded World Cup.
Despite having a coach in Craig Fulton who is known for a defense-first approach, the single most disappointing aspect of the team’s performance was in defence, as it conceded 19 goals in just six games.
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