The 2025 FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup, set to unfold from November 28 to December 10 across Chennai and Madurai, arrives at a pivotal moment for Indian hockey.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, the field expands to 24 teams a shift that widens global participation while significantly raising the logistical and competitive demands on every nation. For hosts India, led by captain Rohit and coached by Olympic legend PR Sreejesh, the opportunity is immense: a chance to reclaim the trophy last lifted in 2016 and reaffirm the country’s rising stature in world hockey.
India enters the event in strong form, having secured silver at the Sultan of Johor Cup earlier this year. But the final phase of preparation is more intense than ever. A three-match friendly series against Argentina scheduled for November 20, 21 and 23 in Chennai functions as the team’s last major stress test before the World Cup begins. With Argentina drawn in Pool C and known for their structured, physical style, the friendlies offer India the ideal simulation of the opposition they will likely face in the knockout stages.
The venue for these matches, the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai, will also host India’s first two pool games. The team has trained extensively at the venue, which underwent major upgrades during the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy. This continuity offers India a valuable advantage in acclimatizing to turf conditions, lighting and atmospheric factors details that become decisive during high-pressure fixtures.
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India’s Pool B campaign appears manageable at first glance, featuring Chile, Switzerland and Oman. The composition of the group changed dramatically after Pakistan declined to participate, leading the FIH to invite Oman as the next qualified Asian side. While this eliminates a potential high-voltage clash, it also shifts India’s group-stage focus toward tactical clarity, squad rotation and maximizing goal difference critical elements that could influence quarterfinal matchups.
But complacency is not an option. Switzerland, one of the three debutants in this expanded World Cup, enters with limited scouting data, and Chile remains an unpredictable, high-energy opponent. With matches against Chile and Oman scheduled on back-to-back days (November 28 and 29), India must manage both performance and recovery with precision, ensuring key players are fresh when the business end of the tournament begins.
The team’s preparation and tactical vision are deeply tied to the philosophy of head coach PR Sreejesh, one of Indian hockey’s most decorated athletes. Since taking charge in 2024, Sreejesh has emphasized mental strength as much as technical execution. His approach reflects the reality of junior tournaments where mistakes under pressure can define outcomes and his experience in high-stakes matches offers the players a blueprint for handling the psychological intensity of a home World Cup.
His defensive principles are already visible in the squad selection, which includes multiple specialist drag-flickers such as captain Rohit and Shardanand Tiwari, underscoring India’s reliance on penalty corner efficiency.
The squad itself is a blend of tournament-hardened defenders, creative midfielders and young forwards with international experience. Captain Rohit anchors the backline while offering a scoring threat from set pieces. Experienced defender Amir Ali brings stability, having played the previous Junior World Cup. In the attacking unit, much of India’s creative workload will fall on Gurjot Singh, whose recent senior-team exposure at the Asian Champions Trophy could prove invaluable in tight games.
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The absence of star forward Araijeet Singh Hundal due to a shoulder injury is a significant setback, requiring India’s midfield to contribute more aggressively in transition and circle entries. Players like Ankit Pal and Adrohit Ekka will need to assume greater responsibility in orchestrating India’s attacking structure.
Beyond the squad and match calendar, the 2025 Junior World Cup is a showcase moment for Tamil Nadu. The state government has committed ₹44.36 crore toward the event, reflecting its intent to deliver a world-class multi-city sporting spectacle. Chennai, with its ready infrastructure and experience, will lead operational command. For Madurai, hosting international hockey for the first time, the World Cup has catalyzed a city-wide development effort from beautification projects to improved sanitation and venue connectivity. The introduction of the tournament mascot, Kangeyan, inspired by the iconic Kangeyam bull, symbolizes the cultural and sporting pride the state aims to project through the event.
As India charts a path toward the medal rounds, the stakes rise sharply. Topping Pool B should place the Colts on course for a quarterfinal against a runner-up from one of the stronger pools, potentially Germany, Spain or South Africa. This is where India’s temperament, defensive organization and penalty corner accuracy will come under the most severe scrutiny.
The goal is clear: a return to the podium, on home soil, in front of a country that expects nothing less. With a strong core, a proven coach and the advantage of familiarity across both host venues, India enters the 2025 Junior World Cup not just as contenders, but as a team capable of shaping the tournament narrative from start to finish.
