Women’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 review: Silver lining in Hangzhou

The Indian women’s hockey team will have to wait a few more months to know if it will join the men in Belgium and the Netherlands at next year’s World Cup. A runner-up finish at the recent Asia Cup, behind host and eventual champion China, meant the Indians left disappointed but not without a measure of satisfaction.

Before the team left for Hangzhou, the venue of its Asian Games heartbreak two years ago, expectations were muted. A 4-1 series loss to Australia, preceded by an eight-match rout in Europe during the Pro League, had raised questions about both players and style. Unlike their male counterparts, the women never looked threatening enough. Against that backdrop, a silver medal was no small achievement.

India’s campaign itself was a mixed bag. The absence of key players hurt, but it also created opportunities for youngsters. Veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia and Sushila Chanu were sidelined by injuries, yet Bichu Devi, long Savita’s understudy, stepped up with confidence despite a few errors. Udita Duhan returned to shore up the defence and midfield. But the biggest blow came when Deepika, India’s young drag-flicker and top scoring hope, was forced out after slipping and hurting her hamstring and groin during the last training session before the team’s departure. Her absence was felt in the team’s desperate search for goals.

Stability restored: Udita Duhan’s return plugged gaps in India’s defence and midfield.
| Photo Credit:
X / @TheHockeyIndia

In attack, Navneet Kaur led the line and was ably supported by 22-year-old Mumtaz Khan. The resurgence of Sangita Kumari was another bright spot. Once the star of the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Asian Champions Trophy, the 23-year-old had struggled over the past year. In Hangzhou, however, she rediscovered her pace and sharpness. She scored just twice but was instrumental in creating chances with her assists and pace upfront.

India’s group-stage journey reflected its broader inconsistency. Crushing wins over minnows Thailand (11-0) and Singapore (12-0) were offset by a 2-2 draw against Japan — a pattern of dominance against weaker sides but vulnerability against equals.

In the Super 4s, the trend continued. A rain-affected 4-2 win over Korea lifted spirits before a 4-1 defeat to China brought it back to earth. A draw with Japan meant India’s qualification hopes hinged on China’s result against Korea. When that did not go its way, the World Cup ticket slipped from its grasp.

Big setback: Deepika did not tgravel with the national team to China for the Women’s Asia Cup due to a hamstring injury. 
| Photo Credit:
R.V. Moorthy

Still, the final offered encouragement. India stunned China with a first-minute goal, only for the host to settle quickly, push back with control, and underline the gulf between the two teams. It was India’s best performance of the tournament, yet the difference in class was unmistakable — evident in the world rankings too, with China at No. 4 and India at No. 10.

For China, the triumph was almost inevitable. Ranked fourth in the world, fresh from a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, and having plundered 38 goals in six games before the final, including a 20-0 demolition of Taiwan, the Chinese were always favourites. India, by contrast, had stumbled through a nervy campaign, needing other results to fall its way. That it still emerged second was commendable.

The result gives Harendra Singh and his players a boost ahead of the all-important World Cup qualifiers in early 2026. It also rekindles hope that India can re-establish itself as Asia’s second force behind China, ahead of Japan and Korea. Challenges remain: relegation from the Pro League has complicated preparations, but Harendra is pushing for at least five or six high-quality friendlies against European teams. The upcoming Hockey India League will be another key step in testing combinations before the qualifiers.

Published on Sep 20, 2025