The Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team is all set to take the field at the 13th edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup, beginning October 11 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
With renewed energy and belief, the young Indian side will look to reclaim its dominance in one of the most prestigious junior hockey tournaments in the world.
Running from 11th to 18th October, the competition will feature top junior teams from across the globe, including Great Britain, Pakistan, Australia, Malaysia, and New Zealand. India the second most successful team in the history of the tournament will open their campaign against defending champions Great Britain on October 11, setting the stage for an electrifying start.
A Rich Legacy to Defend
Since its inception, India has enjoyed remarkable success at the Sultan of Johor Cup, winning the title three times (2013, 2014, and 2022). Only Great Britain, with four titles, have a better record. The Indian Colts have also earned four Silver medals (2012, 2015, 2018, 2019) and two Bronze medals (2023, 2024) a clear reflection of their consistency and strength at the junior level.
The 2025 campaign offers India another opportunity to reaffirm their status as a powerhouse in world junior hockey. With a balanced squad and strong preparation, the team will aim to go one step further after back-to-back third-place finishes in the past two editions.
India’s Fixtures at Sultan of Johor Cup 2025
- October 11: India vs Great Britain
- October 12: India vs New Zealand
- October 14: India vs Pakistan
- October 15: India vs Australia
- October 17: India vs Malaysia
- October 18: Finals and Classification Matches
The top two teams from the round-robin stage will meet in the Final on October 18, while the remaining teams will play for classification positions.
Focused, Fearless, and Ready
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team Coach PR Sreejesh emphasized the importance of the event in shaping future stars for Indian hockey.
“The Sultan of Johor Cup has always been a special tournament for us it’s where many of our current senior players first made their mark,” Sreejesh said. “It provides young players with the perfect stage to test themselves against the best in the world and understand what it takes to perform consistently at the international level.”
He further highlighted the team’s preparation and the balance between structure and creativity that defines India’s playing style.
“Our preparation has been focused on building a well-balanced team one that combines discipline with aggression. The boys have trained with great intensity, and there’s a strong sense of purpose within the group,” he added.
“This tournament is also a crucial step toward the Junior World Cup later this year, and facing strong sides here will be invaluable for their growth.”
Sreejesh concluded by underlining the mindset the team intends to bring to Malaysia:
“We respect every opponent, but our focus remains on playing our brand of hockey fast, fearless, and intelligent. The players are well aware of the legacy India holds in this tournament, and they are determined to uphold that tradition and aim for nothing less than the top.”
Fans can follow all of India’s matches live on YouTube. Below are the official streaming links for the 2025 Sultan of Johor Cup:
- Oct 11 – India vs Great Britain: Watch Live
- Oct 12 – India vs New Zealand: Watch Live
- Oct 14 – Pakistan vs India: Watch Live
- Oct 15 – Australia vs India: Watch Live
- Oct 17 – India vs Malaysia: Watch Live
- Oct 18 – 5th-6th Placing Match: Watch Live
- Oct 18 – Bronze Medal Match: Watch Live
- Oct 18 – The Final: Watch Live
With a talented core and a proud legacy behind them, the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team will look to start strong against Great Britain and carry that momentum through the week. The quest to reclaim the Sultan of Johor Cup crown begins and all eyes will be on how the next generation of Indian hockey stars rise to the challenge.
