Anticipation is soaring as the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team prepares to launch their campaign at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, beginning 28 November at two iconic venues the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai and the state-of-the-art Madurai International Hockey Stadium.
The spotlight is firmly on India, a nation with rich junior hockey pedigree, as they aim to begin strongly against Chile in their opening Pool B match.
Led by captain Rohit, India enter the tournament with a blend of promise, preparation, and the weight of historical expectation. The match-up against Chile is intriguing not only because the two teams have had limited exposure against each other in recent FIH-sanctioned events, but also because it marks the start of India’s quest to reclaim a title they last won in 2016. That triumph in Lucknow remains memorable for producing a golden generation: Harmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Varun Kumar, Nilakanta Sharma, Sumit, Simranjeet Singh all of whom grew into integral pillars of the senior national side in the years that followed.
The 2025 edition, hosted on home soil, presents an opportunity to uncover the next set of stars who will shape Indian hockey’s future. No one understands this transformational potential better than head coach PR Sreejesh, the legendary former India goalkeeper who has taken charge of guiding the Colts through this World Cup. Speaking on the eve of the opener, Sreejesh underlined both the significance and the urgency of the moment.
“Every single player knows how important this tournament is,” he said. “This is where their future begins. A strong performance here could open the door to the senior team. We’ve had several months of preparation, the boys are eager, and now is the time to perform.”
India’s preparations have been among the most comprehensive in the field. The squad arrived nearly two weeks ahead of the opening match, allowing them to familiarise themselves with the humid Chennai conditions and adapt to different playing surfaces between Chennai and Madurai. One of the most crucial elements, however, has been their exposure to the senior national team, with whom they played regularly in the build-up.
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Captain Rohit believes this phase sharpened both the team’s tactical awareness and their competitive instincts. “Playing against the senior team was invaluable,” he said. “Being here early has helped us settle in and understand the ground conditions. There is always some nervousness before a big campaign, but our preparation has been ideal. We trust the process and will take it one match at a time.”
India will continue their Pool B campaign against Oman on 29 November in Chennai before travelling to Madurai to face Switzerland on 2 December. A strong start against Chile will be essential in a group that may not appear intimidating on paper but features teams capable of unsettling the rhythm of elite sides.
Chile’s head coach Matías Amoroso expressed excitement rather than pressure ahead of facing the host nation. “We are very excited to be here,” he said. “We’ve never played in front of such a big crowd. The team is looking forward to the atmosphere and we just want to perform our best.”
This year’s Junior World Cup is historic in scale, featuring 24 teams across six pools. Defending champions Germany headline Pool A alongside Canada, South Africa and Ireland. India’s Pool B includes Switzerland, Oman and Chile. Pool C features Argentina, New Zealand, Japan and China while Pool D comprises Spain, Belgium, Egypt and Namibia. Powerhouses Netherlands anchor Pool E with Malaysia, England and Austria, and Pool F sees France, Australia, Korea and Bangladesh competing for knockout qualification.
With global talent converging in Tamil Nadu and India carrying home expectations, the 2025 edition promises high-intensity hockey and the emergence of future stars. Indian fans can follow every moment of the action, with live streaming available on JioHotstar.
As the stadium lights come on in Chennai on 28 November, one thing is certain history is calling, and India’s young brigade is ready to answer.
