The Indian men’s hockey team is poised to embark on its medal quest at the Paris 2024 Olympics, kicking off their journey with a Pool B match against New Zealand on Saturday. The team carries the momentum of a bronze medal win in Tokyo 2020, ending a 41-year drought. Eleven members from that triumphant squad are back in Paris, their experience complemented by five newcomers. The team features a blend of youth and experience, with veterans PR Sreejesh and Manpreet Singh leading the charge in their fourth Olympic appearance alongside new additions Sukhjeet Singh, Sanjay, Abhishek, Rajkumar Pal, and Jarmanpreet Singh.
India’s path to success will be tested against several formidable opponents in Pool B. The team aims for positive results against New Zealand and Ireland before facing the daunting task of competing against higher-ranked teams like Belgium, Australia, and Argentina.
Australia
, the silver medalist from the Tokyo Olympics, will be a major obstacle for India in the group stage. The Kookaburras have a dominant history against India, winning 55 out of 77 encounters. Their recent 5-0 victory over India in a Test series in Perth in April serves as a stark reminder of their dominance. The last meeting between the two nations at the Olympics saw Australia deliver a crushing 7-1 victory over India in the Tokyo group stage.
Belgium
, the reigning Olympic gold medalist and the highest-ranked team in Pool B, presents another formidable challenge for India. The two teams will lock horns in a repeat of the Tokyo 2020 semi-final, where Belgium triumphed 5-2. Belgium’s dominance in men’s hockey is evident in their first-ever Olympic gold medal win in Tokyo, where they edged out Australia in a penalty shootout. Their world ranking of third places them as the most formidable opponent in Pool B, posing a significant threat to India’s aspirations. India’s record against Belgium in the last ten years shows a clear disadvantage, with eight wins, 16 losses, and six draws. Their most recent encounter in the FIH Pro League in May saw Belgium emerge victorious with a 3-1 penalty shootout win over India.
Argentina
, the Rio 2016 men’s hockey gold medalist, will be India’s second opponent in Paris 2024. India secured a crucial victory against Argentina in the group stage of the Tokyo Olympics, winning 3-1 and ensuring their qualification for the knockout stage. Their recent meeting in the FIH Pro League in Antwerp in May saw India edge out Argentina in a thrilling 5-4 victory. The current world rankings see India in seventh place, while Argentina holds the sixth spot, just 2.15 points ahead.The Harmanpreet-led Indian team is determined to secure consecutive Olympic medals, a feat last achieved by India 52 years ago. A lower-place finish in the pool could lead to an encounter against another strong opponent, such as the Netherlands, Germany, or Great Britain, potentially impacting their journey to the medal round. This high-pressure environment will test the team’s resilience and ability to perform under the spotlight.