A resounding victory at the Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar has reinstated the Indian men’s hockey team’s status as the No.1 side in Asia. The title victory after a gap of eight years was a highlight of 2025 for Craig Fulton and his team, as they trounced giants like Korea, China, and Malaysia during the tournament.
Strong Start to the Year
The year began positively with a strong performance in the home leg of the FIH Pro League, following the revamped Hero Hockey India League (HIL). Players on the fringes showcased their talent, pushing for a place in the senior side.
The international season kicked off with the Pro League in Bhubaneswar, where India delivered impressive results against Spain, Germany, Ireland, and England. Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Singh, the team won six out of eight matches, building on the momentum from a long HIL season that followed their bronze medal success at the Paris Olympics and a victory in the Asian Champions Trophy in China.
Mixed Results in Europe
However, the Pro League concluded on a disappointing note for India in Europe, as they managed only a consolation win against Belgium while losing matches to Australia, the Netherlands, and Argentina in June.
Asian Crown Achieved
In August, the team turned things around by lifting the Asian crown. Another noteworthy event for this squad was their outing in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, where the India ‘A’ side, featuring many key players like Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh, and Hardik Singh rested, put up a valiant display. They narrowly lost the title to Belgium (0-1) but secured victories against Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Canada in an inspiring manner.
Captain’s Reflection
“Winning the Asia Cup was definitely a highlight for the Indian team, but I think Azlan Shah was one of the highlights of the year for the Indian team, where many of us from the main team were rested, but the development squad ended up doing well,” stated Captain Harmanpreet Singh. He capped off the year as the highest goal scorer for India, noting, “This puts us in good stead for a busy year in 2026 with the Asian Games and the World Cup being close to each other, and we can have different options in the squad.”