India’s junior men’s hockey team enters the FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup 2025 with momentum, ambition, and the weight of a billion hopes.
The tournament, hosted in Chennai and Madurai, gives the squad a chance to reclaim the crown last won on home soil in 2016.
Rohit leads the team as captain, while legendary goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh takes charge as coach. Together, they aim to build on India’s silver medal finish at the Sultan of Johor Cup. Although the injury to star forward Araijeet Singh Hundal creates a setback, the squad now has an opportunity to prove its depth and rise beyond dependence on individual brilliance.
Earlier this year, the team gained valuable exposure at the Four Nations Tournament in Berlin. Furthermore, the European tour across Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands added crucial experience. Since then, intensive training at the SAI Bengaluru camp, including practice matches against the senior team, has sharpened their skills. Nevertheless, penalty corner conversion remains a concern. India scored only eight goals from 53 attempts in Malaysia, highlighting an area that required urgent improvement. “We have addressed the issue in the camp. Our drag flickers are flicking 200–300 a day, and they are now better equipped,” said Sreejesh.
Rohit, a drag-flick specialist and top scorer in the previous edition, will play a central role during short corners. “We are very excited to play in front of our people. This is a big tournament, and we understand its importance. We have trained hard for the last two years, and now it is all about execution,” he said.
Ultimately, Sreejesh views this debut coaching assignment as more than immediate success. He considers the campaign a platform to prepare India’s next generation for the long road ahead, ensuring the future of Indian hockey remains strong.
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