The Indian men’s hockey team can surpass the competition with only a “small tweak.”

New Delhi: India has never been able to match Australia’s record, particularly in close games. The narrative is the same whether it comes to the senior men’s and women’s cricket teams competing in World Cups or the U-19 squad. In men’s hockey, the tale is also comparable.

Whether it was Australia’s 0–7 thumping in the 2022 Commonwealth Games final or India’s meagre victory in eight Hockey World Cup games, the Men in Blue have always faced opposition from this country. For the record, since 2014, India has not triumphed in a Test series against the Australians at home. In spite of having an abundance of talent, first-rate facilities, well-earned financial stability, and elite foreign coaches, the Indian men’s team performed poorly when it counted most.

Where, however, do we fall short?

It’s the players’ way of thinking. Not to mention, despite being one spot ahead in the most current FIH Rankings (as of February 2024), the Men in Blue have defeated the formidable Australians a few times recently but not regularly. Australia is ranked fifth, while India is ranked fourth. Consider the most recent FIH Pro League matches. In the first home game against Australia, India fell down 0-2 in the opening two minutes. The hosts came back strong to take a 4-2 lead at the interval. But in the last two quarters, Harmanpreet Singh’s team let up four goals, which caused them to lose.

Veteran goalie PR Sreejesh, who competed for India and won a bronze medal in the Olympics in Tokyo, was acknowledged as much. Belgium and Australia. That’s why I say that hum hara denge. It’s ingrained in our mindset that Australia and Belgium are physically smaller than Kyuki. We are certain that we will defeat the remaining opponents in the league. On the sidelines of the Hockey India Awards, which were held recently in the Capitals, Sreejesh was overheard saying to the renowned Ajit Pal Singh, “It’s in our mentality, sir, because they (Australia and Belgium) play a bit of physical game.”

Sreejesh was alluding to India’s opponents in Group B of the Olympics in Paris when he said “the unknown.” India was grouped with countries like New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Belgium, and Ireland. Rapid decision-making is crucial in a game of hockey because of its fast-paced nature. Since the Indians and Australians are on par in terms of talent, one cannot compare the two.

When the Indians lose a goal, they really do experience a little physiological collapse and adopt a defensive stance. However, the Australians play with a never-say-never mentality till the last whistle, so that’s not the case.

How can India advance further?
The legendary Ashok Kumar, the son of the renowned hockey guru Major Dhyan Chand, says that the Indian players can overcome Australia or any other better team if they can maintain composure at vital moments. Hockey players today should take note of the interview that the 1975 Hockey World Cup champion had with his father.

“My father’s first television interview was broadcast in Lucknow back in 1975. “Dada, you are a hockey magician because you can do anything with the ball,” the interviewer asked him. “No, it’s my mind and nervous system that made me a hockey player in front of the world,” he retorted. On the pitch, I obey the message my mind delivers to my nervous system,” remembered Kumar, who defeated Pakistan in the 1975 World Cup final in Kuala Lumpur with the game-winning goal.

In Kumar’s opinion, the boys should make this little additional effort at the Olympics in Paris in order to take first place once more. Following a respectable home series in the FIH Pro League in February, the Indian squad took out for Australia on Monday in preparation for a five-match Test series that begins on April 6. Just so you know, since 2014, the Indian squad has not defeated Australia in a Test series.

After that, the Indian team has a week off before taking off once again to participate in the FIH Pro League’s Europe leg and then the Paris Olympics. On June 26, the summer game will begin.