Legacy Reclaimed

India’s men’s hockey team delivered a stirring performance at the Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar, asserting its dominance in the continent and rekindling hope for a sport that once stood as the nation’s pride. The victory comes as a relief and was a necessary restoration of confidence following a dismal European campaign in the Pro League 2024-25, where India lost seven matches in a row.

The Asia Cup was approached with a clear objective of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands. By the tournament’s close, not only had India punched its ticket to the global stage, but it also reclaimed the Asian crown with authority. After sluggish performances in the first two games, barely edging past China and Japan thanks to Harmanpreet Singh’s drag-flicking prowess, the Indian team hit its stride. The turning point came against Kazakhstan, whose 15–0 thrashing laid bare India’s attacking firepower and boosted team morale. The final, in which Dilpreet Singh’s brace sealed India’s fourth Asia Cup title, was a symbolic moment.

India’s resurgence was powered by more than just individual brilliance. Several players like Rajinder Singh, ShilanandLakra, Vivek Sagar Prasad and Suraj Karkera have emerged as the sport’s next generation, positioning themselves as cornerstones for the new Olympic cycle. Captain Harmanpreet Singh has reinvented his role from defensive lynchpin to a field general, orchestrating play with long aerial passes and dictating tempo. Right-back Jarmanpreet Singh contributed unexpectedly as an attacking spark, his overlapping runs and incisive touches unlocking defences with ease.

The statistics underline the dominance. India scored 39 goals, the highest by any team in the tournament. Yet, the achievement is not without caveats. The gulf in class between India and its Asian rivals remained conspicuous. China, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan showed flashes of competence but failed to match India’s fluency and cohesion. Rajgir itself played a surprisingly apt host. An ancient town renowned for its Buddhist heritage, it became a contemporary sporting crucible. The Rajgir Sports Complex Hockey Stadium doubled as a competitive arena and a developmental hub. Young academy players, seated close to the action, mingled with stars post-final, underscoring the event’s broader role in promoting hockey’s grassroots revival. However, the venue’s limited 4,000–5,000 seating capacity was clearly inadequate. Thousands of spectators braved the heat and cramped conditions, a testament to the sport’s latent popularity.

However, Indian hockey infrastructure remains patchy outside traditional centres. The financial ecosystem around hockey lags far behind cricket. For hockey to truly transition into sustained global relevance for India, institutional investment is indispensable from both governmental and corporate sponsors. Without such backing, the current crop of talent risks being wasted. Nevertheless, the future looks promising. The Asia Cup title heralds the dawn of a renewed era. With a young, hungry squad, strategic leadership and growing public interest, Indian hockey is poised not just to survive but to thrive. Its golden days may well be back.