By all accounts, the Indian men’s hockey team is playing decent hockey in the 2024-25 FIH Pro League.
But in elite sport, “decent” rarely wins matches. After a fifth consecutive loss — this time a heartbreaking 2-3 defeat to Australia after leading 2-0 — it’s clear that something deeper is at play. India is not just losing games; they’re inventing new ways to lose them.
Five matches, five defeats. In four of those games, India went into the final quarter either ahead or level. In all five, they conceded goals in the closing period — a damning indictment of both their defensive structure and mental resilience under pressure. Against Australia in Antwerp, India led 2-0 thanks to a brilliant brace by Abhishek, but still ended up on the losing side. A penalty corner in the dying seconds, converted by Tom Craig, sealed their fate yet again.
Decent Hockey, But Not Good Enough
To be clear, India is not being outclassed. They’ve been competitive throughout this European leg of the Pro League. Possession has been solid, chances are being created, and there is structure in the midfield. But as is often the case at the top level, margins are thin. What separates the top-four teams from the rest is not dominance, but ruthlessness — the ability to seize moments, defend grimly under pressure, and execute under fatigue.
Unfortunately, India is failing in all three.
The Final Quarter Collapse
It’s no longer a coincidence. India has conceded goals in the final quarter of every match during this losing streak — a pattern that cannot be ignored. It suggests a mix of fatigue, lapses in concentration, and perhaps, a lack of confidence in high-pressure situations. Against Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Ireland, and now Australia, India held parity or better going into the final 15 minutes. But the end result was the same each time — a loss.
The most frustrating part? India’s structure collapses not over a quarter but in moments — usually the final five minutes. Against Australia, the team led 2-1 going into the last quarter. Then came the equalizer off a penalty corner, followed by a late, controversial decision that gave Australia another PC. India’s goalkeeper Suraj Karkera, otherwise excellent on the day, couldn’t keep out the final blow.
Defence: Tighten Up or Fade Away
Defensive frailty has haunted Indian hockey for years. It isn’t just about conceding goals — it’s about how and when we concede them. PC defence, positioning during transitions, and man-to-man marking in crunch moments have all shown cracks. India’s zonal marking often allows space at the top of the circle, and opposition teams are exploiting that with regularity.
Even with experienced defenders and a solid keeper in Suraj, India lacks defensive composure when it matters most. The penalty corners being conceded late in games also speak to poor body positioning and desperation defending — symptoms of fatigue and pressure mismanagement.
Missed Chances at the Other End
While Abhishek’s double against Australia was a bright spot, India’s finishing across this campaign has been patchy. Circle entries are being made — but with minimal conversion. The build-up play often looks promising, but the final pass or shot lacks precision. In games where one goal could tilt the balance, missed opportunities are proving costly.
The team is creating enough chances to be winning games, but without clinical finishing, those chances mean little. Composure in front of goal, especially from experienced forwards, is critical — and right now, India is failing in that department.
Mental Toughness and the 1% Margins
What stands out most, however, is the mental side of the game. The top-tier teams — Australia, Germany, Netherlands — find ways to win even on off-days. India, on the other hand, is finding ways to lose despite strong starts. That speaks to a mental block that has plagued the team before and appears to be creeping back in.
It’s in the last quarter, when legs are tired and lungs are burning, that mental sharpness matters most. It’s about tracking one extra run, closing one extra lane, making one smarter decision under pressure. Those 1% moments are the difference between victory and defeat — and right now, India is coming up short.
Looking Ahead: Heads High, But Questions Mount
The team will need to regroup quickly. There’s no time for self-pity in a season as packed as this. But serious introspection is needed — not just on strategy and skills, but on temperament. Are the players mentally equipped to manage game situations better? Is the defensive shape drilled enough to hold leads under pressure? Can the forwards be more clinical?
The Pro League is not just about results — it’s also a platform to iron out flaws before bigger tournaments like the Asian Champions Trophy and the Olympics. But if these late-game collapses aren’t addressed now, they will haunt India when the stakes are even higher.
Winning, they say, is a habit. Sadly, for the Indian men’s hockey team, so is losing — at least right now. Five straight defeats are not just numbers on a sheet; they reflect deeper systemic issues. Talent is there. Skill is evident. But until India learns to close out matches, all the promise will amount to little.