India’s men’s hockey team is undergoing a critical phase of introspection and recalibration after a disappointing finish in the 2025 FIH Pro League. Despite flashes of brilliance from forwards and penalty corner specialists, the team’s inability to hold leads in the dying minutes has exposed a glaring weakness: defensive lapses under pressure.
A Campaign of Contrasts
Led by skipper Harmanpreet Singh, India began the Pro League with promise, winning five of their eight home games. However, the momentum didn’t carry over to the European leg, where the team lost seven of eight matches, finishing 8th out of nine teams—their worst-ever Pro League performance.
Ironically, India led in four of those seven losses, including a 2-0 advantage against Australia, only to concede late goals and surrender the match. The trend of collapsing in the final quarter—particularly in the last five minutes—has become a recurring Achilles’ heel.
Coach Fulton’s “Defend to Win” Strategy Under Scrutiny
Chief coach Craig Fulton’s philosophy of “defend to win” was meant to address India’s historical vulnerability in closing out games. Yet, the backline, featuring seasoned players like Amit Rohidas and Sumit, faltered repeatedly. The team’s inability to execute defensive structure in crunch moments has prompted calls for tactical overhauls and mental conditioning.
Silver Linings and the Road Ahead
Despite the setbacks, India’s attacking unit showed promise. Strikers like Abhishek, Mandeep Singh, and Sukhjeet Singh consistently found the net, while Harmanpreet remained a potent threat from penalty corners. Belgium’s head coach Shane McLeod even remarked that India “played pretty well barring the last-minute goals” and remains optimistic about their performance in high-stakes tournaments like the Olympics and Asian Games.
Focus Shifts to Asia Cup 2025
With the Pro League behind them, India’s next big test will be the Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar, scheduled for August–September. The tournament offers a direct qualification route to the 2026 World Cup, making it a must-win for the Harmanpreet-led squad. Given the stiff competition from Malaysia and China in recent Asian Champions Trophy finals, India cannot afford to take the challenge lightly.
Conclusion
India’s path to redemption lies in tightening its defensive structure, especially in the final minutes of play. With a talented roster and proven attacking firepower, the team has the tools to bounce back. But unless the defensive frailties are addressed, India’s dream of reclaiming global hockey dominance will remain just out of reach.
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