Indian Hockey Disappointing Performance: Why Indian Men’s and Women’s team are not performing well in Current Tournaments?

Our National Sport “Hockey” made us proud in last few years and credit should be given to all stakeholders who have worked hard behind the scenes to make this entity extremely popular.

Their performance in Pro League and couple of tournaments of late in both male and female domain have been superb here in this article we will reveal the recent performances from Indian Hockey team in both domain and what can be done to eradicate the poor performances from them in crunch phase of the game.

Let’s talk about their dismal performances first of all it all started with Men’s Hockey team where they have lost sixth game in the row where the lost first came against Argentina and Netherlands and the last game against Australia where they lost this encounter by 2-3.

The goal from India in the recently concluded encounter came from Sanjay(3rd Minute) and Dilpreet Singh(36th minute) while Tim Brand, Blake Govers and Cooper Burns scored goals in 4th,5th and 18th minute respectively.

When we talk about that game, It all started with Positive note where early dominating share of exchanges, India did well till 36th minute but they forget to replicate the attacking instinct of the game against Australia but they failed to capitalize those moments.

There were couple of reasons behind India’s absolute downfall against Australia let us share the same in the below format:

 

1. India didn’t implemented attacking instinct which was need of an hour against Australia.

2. Former India Captain Manpreet Singh who played his 400th match, failed to inspire next generation of players to win games against  Australia.

3. Krishan Bahadur Pathak as goalkeeper didn’t perform as per his resume and needs significant improvement in Coming games.

4.  There were several penalty Corner conversion opportunities which they have failed to capitalize those moments, which Australia capitalize perfectly and won games against India.

5. Overall Captaincy could have been significantly improved where they failed to win those moments when it mattered the most.

What they need to change going forward is play with more attacking instinct of the game and psychological aspect of the game where they have a psychological edge over opponents.

The problem is not persisting in Men’s Hockey it is replicated in Women’s Hockey where they fought against Australia on equal terms, but conceded a last minute where they lost the game by 1-2 by FIH Pro League match here on Sunday.

This was India’s second consecutive defeat  to the same opponents as they had lost 2-3 on Friday.

Talking about the context of the game, India took the lead in first three minutes through a field goal from Vaishanivi Phalke and they were up 1-0 up at half time, But Australia restored parity in the 37th minute of the game and came back stronger to win this contest.

Overall India’s attacking approach and Psychological aspect of the game is not upto the mark.

In order to eradicate these challenges psychological coach is must to win this encounter.

The tactical game awareness is another factor which they need to work on in order to register victory for Indian team across both domain respectively.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Q-1: What are the biggest challenges in Indian Men’s and Women’s Hockey?? 

Answer: The five biggest challenges persisting in Indian Men’s and Women’s Hockey to be shared in the below format:

1. Weak Psychological game where they failed to exert pressure on opponents to win any close matches. 

2. The attacking instinct of the game is pretty lackluster at the moment instead and some tactics need to be developed to overcome this. 

3. Captaincy decision is lacking big time along with failure to convert back to back penalties via goal. 

4. Game awareness is also lacking big time where players fail to decode their spot where they can apply their skills to emerge winner of any contest. 

5. Lastly the formations, needs to be improved in Indian hockey where we have seen uneven distribution of players in midfield and centre. 

Q-2: What we are failing to convert Penalty Corners? 

Answer: Penalty Corners is vital part in Hockey where n number of chances given to any team based on mistakes committed by opponent. 

The one who takes Penalty corners should possess excellent body weight along with ability to generate immense power in the middle. 

It all starts with Usher who drags and pull the ball towards Penalty Corners and then PC specialist hit the ball with full force to hit goal. 

Defense is always on high when it comes to Penalty Corner Conversion. 

The reasons why are failing to convert Penalty Corners, where very few players in Indian setup have acquired those skills and there are no enough backup PC specialist who can spread their magic when it mattered the most. 

India’s inability to convert Penalty Corner goals are making things difficult for them by wide margin. 

Q-3 : What is next biggest challenge in Indian Hockey? Who should be credited for maximum development in Indian Hockey?

Answer: The biggest challenge for both Men’s and Women’s Hockey team in Los Angeles Olympics 2028 where these two would be looking to redeem their glory. 

The Hockey India Federation along with Sports Authority of India, Khelo India Games , Sahara India and Orissa government all should be credited in uplifting Indian Hockey at Grandeur stage. 

Indian Men’s and Women’s Hockey team have certainly potential to win gold medal but they need to make sure to consistently hit all the boxes when it mattered the most. 

The Indian Hockey is one rise, it will substantially grow even further only the issues which I have highlighted before which is denting image of Hockey in the country should be protected at all cost.

Indian Hockey team and concern stakeholders need to come on board and solve those issues in order to make sure India become an absolute dominating force in our National sport.

Coach Graham Fulton, Captain Harmanpreet Singh and other senior players who have been associated with this game should be credited big time to win games for Men and Women in Blue.

The tournaments like FIH Pro League, Hockey tournaments at club level, Khelo India School/University Games and other should include competitive spirit so that best of the lot could emerge from this contest.

If the level of competition at domestic level will improve rest of thing will substantially improved so let’s see how this ecosystem work going forward.

Indian Hockey had a lull phase from 1980 onwards where they failed to win medals for close to 40 years, cut two the consistent effort came in handy for them as they went on to win Bronze medal in 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the same performance was replicated by them in 2024 in Paris where they clinched Bronze medal.

The Experience stalwarts like PR Sreejesh, Captain Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas then coach Graham Reid and now Craig fulton where these two together tactically guided team to win medals in the marque event.

Indian Hockey domestic ecosystem is also on rise where players from grassroot level are coming up the ranks by doing wonders at lower levels across all facets of the game which is helping them big time to earn victories for India when it mattered the most.

However Hockey India, need to develop framework where they can together uplift the areas of concern and resolve them quickly when it mattered the most.

As fan and Journalist we want to see our National Game only flying high and high in future.