The India men’s national field hockey team will aim to halt its slide in the FIH Pro League when it faces Spain men’s national field hockey team in the reverse fixture on Tuesday, buoyed by a fighting performance against Australia.
India’s campaign in the nine-team tournament has been a difficult one. Across the Rourkela and Hobart legs, it has suffered five defeats and managed just one draw, leaving it eighth in the standings with a solitary point from six matches. Only Pakistan men’s national field hockey team sit below, having lost all eight of their matches so far.
The pressure has mounted on head coach Craig Fulton amid the team’s underwhelming run. A mid-tournament captaincy shift added to the turbulence after regular skipper Harmanpreet Singh withdrew from the Hobart leg for personal reasons. Young midfielder Hardik Singh stepped up to lead the side.
There were encouraging signs in India’s 2-2 regulation-time draw with the Australia men’s national field hockey team, also known as the Kookaburras. Goals from Amit Rohidas and Jugraj Singh handed India a 2-0 advantage before familiar defensive lapses allowed Australia to claw back. The hosts eventually edged the shootout 5-4, but India at least secured its first point of the season.
Shilanand Lakra impressed with a dazzling run and reverse-hit that beat the Australian goalkeeper, though it was ruled out for a back-stick infringement. Young Aditya Lalage also showed promise, offering glimpses of the next generation’s potential.
Spain, however, pose a stern test. They defeated India 2-0 in the opening encounter on Saturday. Yet India will draw confidence from its victory over the Spaniards in the bronze-medal match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, a reminder of what it can achieve on big occasions.
With the Pro League table led by Belgium men’s national field hockey team (22 points from eight games), followed by Australia and Argentina men’s national field hockey team, India’s immediate objective is simple — collect points and restore pride.
The Hobart leg concludes with another clash against Australia before the competition shifts to Europe in June. With a World Cup year ahead and the Asian Games doubling as Olympic qualification, India knows a turnaround must begin now.
