Indian Men's Hockey Team Braces for Grueling 2026 Campaign
The Indian men's hockey team is set for an exceptionally demanding year in 2026, with a tightly packed schedule that leaves little room for respite. The action kicks off with the FIH Pro League on February 11 in Rourkela, marking the first of sixteen league matches. This intense period will be followed by two major tournaments: the World Cup from August 14 to 30, and the Asian Games scheduled from September 19 to October 4.
Coach Craig Fulton's Strategy to Build Depth
With such a heavy workload on the horizon, chief coach Craig Fulton is actively working to widen the player pool. The home leg matches against Belgium and Argentina are expected to serve as a crucial audition window for emerging talents. One player who has particularly caught Fulton's attention is Odisha defender Amandeep Lakra. Lakra's standout performance in the Hockey India League for Hyderabad Toofans, where he earned the Player of the Tournament award, has made him a key prospect.
Fulton highlighted Lakra's development, noting, "Last year, he was the second dragflicker behind Gonzalo Peillat, but this year he had the full responsibility." This increased role allowed Lakra to shine, as he scored nine goals in ten games from penalty corners, including two in the third-place playoff against HIL GC.
Amandeep Lakra's Remarkable Growth
Toofans coach Pasha Gademan provided insights into Lakra's significant improvement from the previous HIL edition, where he had scored five goals. Gademan emphasized that beyond his dragflicking skills, Lakra's evolution as an outfield player has been impressive. "Last year I thought he was processing game situations very slowly. His understanding of the game, what to do and how to bring in his own strength took time," Gademan explained. "But this year he grew and picked up fast. From the beginning, he was active. In the last three matches, I think he played nearly 60 minutes. We didn't take him off anymore. It's bizarre how quickly he picked up the system we play in."
Lakra himself expressed satisfaction with his contributions to Toofans. "For the PCs, I planned with the coach as to what to do, did lots of video analysis and it all worked out. I also got tips from Peillat last season and it helped," said the young defender, who also benefited from tours to Europe and China with India A.
Other Young Talents on Fulton's Radar
Apart from Lakra, several other youngsters have impressed Coach Fulton. "I think Arshdeep Singh is coming good. Araijeet Singh Hundal post his injury is also coming back to some kind of form. Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem did good. I also like Anmol Ekka. He's shown he can fill a role," Fulton added, indicating a broader focus on nurturing new talent.
High Expectations and Challenges Ahead
Despite the influx of young players, Fulton is acutely aware of the challenges ahead. He stressed the need for the team to train at the highest level. "We're going to have to train at the level of World Cups," Fulton stated. "We really want to push hard this year. It's going to mean a lot of commitment and a lot of sacrifice."
The hope is that with this rigorous preparation and the integration of promising talents like Lakra, the Indian men's hockey team can deliver strong performances at both the World Cup and Asian Games, events that are separated by just three weeks. The coming year promises to be a true test of endurance and skill for Harmanpreet Singh and his squad.
