Asia Cup 2025: India on the right track but yet to go full throttle

In the sweltering heat of Rajgir, Craig Fulton’s men were looking to bury the ghosts of a disappointing FIH Pro League campaign and secure a spot in the World Cup at the Asia Cup 2025. However, for the continent’s top-ranked team, now regularly going shoulder-to-shoulder with the big boys of world hockey, its journey to the Super 4s wasn’t as smooth as expected, against Asian rivals who have struggled to find their footing over the past decade, with none even breaking into the world’s top 10.

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While a glance at the scoreboard tells a tale of three wins and 22 goals scored — enough to book their spot in the Super 4s — the true story is more complex. A staggering 15 of those 22 goals came in a single match against Kazakhstan, a team ranked 81st in the world that didn’t even know it was playing in the tournament just nine days ago.

The first two games of the tournament were a far cry from a dominant performance. A shaky 4-3 victory over China was followed by a hard-fought 3-2 win against Japan. These results raised more questions than answers about the team’s performance, especially after a seven-match losing streak during the European leg of the Pro League. The only difference was that this time, they were on the winning side of a narrow one-goal margin instead of the losing one.

After weeks of meticulous preparation in the cool climes of Bengaluru and the chilly air of Perth, India arrived in the oppressive August heat of Eastern India. The sweltering conditions, coupled with unforgiving match timings and a slow turf, set the stage for a performance that felt more like a slog than a stride. This wasn’t just a physical challenge; it was a tactical puzzle waiting to be solved.

Familiar foes, different stories

Against China, a team which has often troubled it in the recent past, India started with a flash of promise, only to see a goal disallowed in the second minute. What followed was a frustrating narrative of possession without purpose. India held the ball, but China held all the cards, setting up a deep defensive block that swallowed every forward pass. The forwards were static, the midfield lacked its usual authority, and the team’s vaunted ‘defend to attack’ philosophy wilted in the heat.

China, content to cede possession, played a disciplined waiting game. It was patient, ready to pounce on any loose ball. India’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed repeatedly by China’s swift counterattacks. The Chinese team created six penalty corners, converting half of them and highlighting a glaring weakness in India’s set-piece defence.

The script barely changed against Japan, which mirrored China’s deep defensive lines and suffocating man-to-man marking. The hard-running Japanese team sapped the energy from an already weary Indian squad. Yet, a breakthrough came. India, so dependent on short corners for goals, finally netted a field goal through Mandeep Singh in a gritty 3-2 victory.

While the wins were secured, the performances revealed a worrying pattern. India’s inability to break down a low block, its static attack, and a porous penalty-corner defence will be the primary focus for its upcoming opponents in the Super 4s. The team’s usual high-energy, fast-paced game was stymied by both the conditions and the opposition’s tactics.

A glimmer of hope and a new challenge

While the match against Kazakhstan may not have been a definitive mark of the team’s improvement, it certainly boosted the players’ confidence. Eight players got their names on the scoresheet on the night.

Over the last few years, India has relied heavily on the trio of Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh and its talismanic skipper Harmanpreet Singh for inspiration on the field. They are the only Indians to be awarded FIH Player of the Year trophies in the last decade.

Harmanpreet’s lethal drag-flicks were ready from the start, but it took a couple of games for Manpreet and Hardik to get India’s midfield working. Youngster Rajinder Singh impressed with his strong runs through the middle, and Vivek Sagar Prasad also proved his worth, particularly with his defensive contributions.

The attacking trio of Manpreet, Abhishek, and Sukhjeet seems to have found its rhythm, shaking off the initial struggles in Rajgir. Abhishek and Sukhjeet have been particularly impressive, each earning player of the match award in the last two games. Yet, the true standout in the forward line is Shilanand Lakra. He’s a cut above the rest, showcasing exceptional movement and consistently making the right decisions in the attacking ‘D’.

Four successful drag-flicks from Jugraj Singh on the penalty corner have given him a big confidence boost and provided Harmanpreet with some much-needed relief. This newfound depth in its attack makes India more unpredictable and potent. It also better prepares Fulton’s men to unlock the deep-lying defences they’ll face under the lights in the upcoming matches.

Published on Sep 02, 2025