On the day that India celebrates its 80th Independence Day, the country’s hockey team start a fresh campaign in the men’s hockey World Cup, a tournament that they have rarely tasted success in despite their illustrious history in the sport. India have won the World Cup just once – in 1975, and that was also the only time that they reached the final. Overall, India have reached the final four just three times, the last of which was in 1975.
However, they will first have to keep out of their minds the distraction that came with their controversial desicision to change their jersey colours from the iconic blue, in which they won medals at the last two Olympics, to saffron.
Their hopes will rest on captain Harmanpreet Singh. At the start of 2026, he told The Indian Express that he was working on different drag-flick variations, which he would ‘reveal at the right time’. He was also focusing on short sprints to improve mobility and strengthening his lower back, shoulders and arms — key areas for generating power in his flick.
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India have put out their starting XI, with Suraj Karkera starting in goal.
It's time for the hockey World Cup. The Indian men's team start their campaign today, the women start tomorrow. Harmanpreet and Co. will be looking to shake off a rather disappointing history as India look to end a five-decade wait for the title. Stay tuned for more updates.
By the time India’s players assemble in a semicircle at the top of the ‘D’ on a June morning in Bengaluru, their training jerseys are already drenched in sweat.
Manpreet Singh crouches to receive the injection from vice-captain Hardik Singh. Rajinder Singh readies himself to flick, while Yashdeep Siwach, Abhishek Nain and Shilanand Lakra take up positions around the circle.
Everyone is present for India’s penalty-corner drills. Almost. Well, almost. India’s captain, and the team’s great big-match weapon, Harmanpreet Singh is instead stretched out on the physio’s table in the dug-out. READ MORE.
