Indian Men’s Hockey Team Gears Up for Crucial FIH Pro League 2024-25 Campaign

Bhubaneswar: The Indian Men’s Hockey Team, currently ranked fifth in the world, is set to embark on its much-anticipated FIH Pro League 2024-25 journey at the iconic Kalinga Hockey Stadium.

Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Singh, India will kick off its campaign with two high-stakes matches against World No. 7 Spain on 15th and 16th February, followed by intense encounters against World No. 4 Germany on 18th and 19th February. The team will then face Ireland on 21st and 22nd February, before concluding its home-leg fixtures against the formidable World No. 2 England on 24th and 25th February.

With home advantage on their side, the Indian squad will be eager to build momentum and assert their dominance against top international teams.

Recent Performances & Squad Strength

The Harmanpreet Singh-led side has already proven its mettle on the international stage, most notably with a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Their last competitive outing was a two-match Test series against Germany in October 2024, where they bounced back from a 2-0 defeat in the first match to secure a 5-3 victory in the second. Although Germany won the series via shootout, India’s spirited performance reinforced their readiness for the Pro League.

In addition, India successfully defended their title at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2024 in September, winning all their matches and reaffirming their position as one of Asia’s strongest teams.

The squad features a blend of experience and youthful talent, with Vice Captain Hardik Singh supporting Harmanpreet in leadership duties. Veterans Manpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Sumit, Sanjay, Jugraj Singh, and Vivek Sagar Prasad will form the backbone of the team, while emerging stars like Araijeet Singh Hundal, Angad Bir Singh, and Arshdeep Singh bring fresh energy and flair.

Players & Coach Speak

Speaking on the eve of India’s opening match, Harmanpreet Singh expressed confidence in the team’s preparations:

“The team is fresh from some fantastic performances in the recently concluded Hockey India League. I was particularly happy to see Jugraj winning the top scorer award, which adds to our firepower in drag flicks.”

Reflecting on the significance of the Pro League, he added:

“This tournament marks the start of our new Olympic cycle and the international season. With World Cup qualification (Asia Cup 2025) ahead, the Pro League offers a crucial opportunity to assess our standing. Spain, Germany, and England are strong opponents, and we are focused on taking it match by match.”

Head Coach Craig Fulton emphasized the demanding nature of the competition:

“The coming days will be similar to an Olympic-style schedule with back-to-back matches, which is why we have opted for a larger squad. Since we are starting our campaign at home, our priority will be strong performances rather than just ranking points. The other teams have already played a few matches in Europe, so our focus will be on executing our plans effectively and winning matches.”

Road to Redemption

After finishing seventh in the previous FIH Pro League season, India will be determined to stage a strong comeback. A top finish in this edition carries the added incentive of automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, further fueling the team’s motivation.

With a well-rounded squad, recent success, and home support, India is set for a high-octane campaign as they take on the world’s best.