The Indian men's hockey team is set to navigate one of its most demanding seasons in recent memory, with two major tournaments scheduled back-to-back. The FIH World Cup will be swiftly followed by the Asian Games, which serves as a direct qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympics. This tight schedule presents a significant challenge for the team's management, forcing a strategic focus on building a robust squad and carefully managing player fitness.
Fulton's Blueprint: Building Two Competitive Groups
Head coach Craig Fulton has laid out a clear plan to tackle the congested calendar. The central strategy revolves around creating greater depth within the national squad. This approach was evident in the recent Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, where several senior players were rested.
"The main theme is to create more depth, which is why we rested some senior players for the Azlan Sultan Shah Cup," Fulton stated during the men's Hockey India League. He emphasized that to perform at peak levels in both premier competitions, the team effectively needs two strong groups. A core set of players will feature in both the World Cup and Asian Games, while fresh legs will be integrated to maintain balance and manage workload.
Junior Talent and Goalkeeping Riches
Given the intense schedule, Fulton indicated that players from the junior squad, which won a bronze medal at the Junior World Cup, could be fast-tracked into the senior setup. The ongoing Hockey India League serves as a crucial scouting ground.
"We know what we are looking for, and if there are consistent performances, we will select them for the Pro League," the coach added. He specifically praised the emergence of young goalkeeper Princedeep Singh from the junior team, highlighting the pressure they handled in knockout matches.
The goalkeeping department, in particular, is looking exceptionally healthy. While Kishan Pathak and Suraj Karkera remain the first-choice custodians, the strong performances of Pawan and HS Mohith at the Azlan Shah Cup have added significant depth. Princedeep Singh now joins them as a promising option, creating healthy competition.
The Stakes: Ending the Drought and Securing Olympic Berth
The importance of the season cannot be overstated. India's only World Cup victory dates back over 50 years, making a strong performance a high priority. Simultaneously, securing an early qualification spot for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics through the Asian Games is a critical objective for the team's long-term cycle.
Fulton underscored the uniqueness of the challenge, drawing a parallel to Europe. "The schedule is extremely difficult. If you were in Europe and said that you have just played the World Cup and are going to compete in the European Championships three weeks later, I do not think the teams will accept it," he remarked, pointing out the unusual turnaround.
The coming months will test the team's resilience, planning, and the effectiveness of Fulton's strategy to build a squad capable of excelling in two high-stakes tournaments within a short span.
