The Indian Men’s Hockey Team at the Commonwealth Games: MISSION GOLD?

The Indian Men’s Hockey Team at the Commonwealth Games: MISSION GOLD?

The Indian men’s national field hockey team will face Ghana in their first Commonwealth Games 2022 match on July 31 at the University of Birmingham. India is in Pool B, alongside hosts England, Canada, Wales & Ghana.

Conversely, the reigning Commonwealth Games winners Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Scotland are in Pool A. 

Following the first encounter against Ghana, India will play England, Canada, and Wales over the next four days. The men’s hockey finale will be contested on August 8, the last day of CWG 2022.

India, which is officially ranked fourth in the FIH hockey standings, has yet to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal. In all their outings in this competition, they had finished sixth in CWG 2006 and fourth twice, once in 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, when the sport debuted, and then in 2018 in Gold Coast.

The team’s best performances were when it won silver in New Delhi in 2010 and Glasgow in 2014. India just missed out on a third-place finish at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, conceding the bronze medal matchup to England.

Commonwealth Games 2022: Indian Men’s Hockey Team CWG 2022 Full Squad, Schedule & Fixtures

The extraordinary triumph of the Indian men’s hockey side at the Tokyo Olympics has sparked optimism that the in-form unit would be able to stop the Australian behemoth at Birmingham 2022.

Australia’s domination at the CWG is remarkable. Ever since the sport’s debut at the quadrennial tournament 24 years ago, world No. 1 Australia has always been the most dominant power, sweeping all six golds.

 

Thanks to the renewed confidence and faith among the Indian players, the men’s squad has a solid chance to thwart Australia’s golden run at the Games. The Indian men’s hockey team, which secured an unprecedented Olympic bronze medal after a 41-year drought last year, has improved significantly under Australian head coach Graham Reid.

Fitness was a source of worry in past events, but the present Indian squad is regarded as one of the strongest in the hockey world. The team’s enhanced athleticism has translated into success.

Commonwealth Games 2022: India Full Schedule & Time Table | Indian Athletes | Events | Timings IST

Following their momentous bronze medal in Tokyo, the Indian men came third in the 2022 FIH Pro League, behind only Belgium and the Netherlands. However, if the players perform to their peak capability, India will undoubtedly claim its first-ever gold medal in CWG hockey at Birmingham. Apart from Australia, they will have to overcome teams such as Pakistan, Canada, England, and New Zealand.

Team India has a quality penalty corner composition that boasts vice-captain Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Amit Rohidas, and rookie Jugraj Singh, but they must improve their conversion rate. When it comes to allowing easy goals, the defense must strengthen as well. India has an excellent goalkeeper in seasoned PR Sreejesh, who will be playing in his final Commonwealth Games.

Will MISSION GOLD become a reality, or will it remain a pipe dream until the next Games…… 8th August 2022 will either mark the end of just another event for this team or indelibly represent them in the event’s legacy.