Indian women’s hockey team provide spark of hope but must aim to be consistently high

The Indian women’s hockey team, amidst the gloom in the hockey fraternity, provided a spark of hope. They showed signs of improvement by defeating Germany 3-1 and finishing 5th eventually in the FIH Hockey World Cup recently.  This was the second-best performance by the women. In 1974 they had placed fourth and it has taken the team more than half-a-decade to put up another credible performance in the World Cup.

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Nevertheless, there is more that needs to be done before it can be said that this is a resurgence worth noting. The Indian squad is currently at an interesting crossroads. It has shown that it can compete with the world’s best, but the problems of the last two years have prevented it from becoming a consistently successful international side. The team’s recent 2026 World Cup campaign actually showed considerable improvement, even though India missed the semifinals.

The team’s recent 2026 World Cup campaign actually showed considerable improvement, even though India missed the semifinals. Pics: Hockey India

Indian women can produce excellent hockey against strong opponents, but they need to be steady. India have often struggled to maintain their consistency level from match to match. The lack of goal-scoring efficiency seems to be the biggest on-field weakness. India create opportunities but do not convert enough of them. In the crucial 0–0 draw with Australia at the 2026 World Cup, missed chances and a lack of composure in front of goal cost India a place in the semifinals.

Navneet, Deepika, Salima stand out

Navneet Kaur was India’s most outstanding forward. She saved her best for the final match, scoring twice in the second half against Germany. Navneet’s ability to find space, her speed and her composure in front of goal made her one of India’s most dangerous attacking players throughout the tournament.

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Deepika Kumari was another player who made a strong impression. The young forward has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in Indian hockey.

Navneet Kaur’s ability to find space, her speed and her composure in front of goal made her one of India’s most dangerous attacking players throughout the tournament

India’s defensive strength was built around the experience of Savita Punia, one of the finest goalkeepers India has produced. Captain Salima Tete deserves special mention too. Energetic, courageous and an excellent reader of the game, she provided leadership both in midfield and defence. Her willingness to put her body on the line in defensive situations personified India’s fighting spirit.

Dream Run: Indian women down Germany to finish 5th at the FIH Hockey World Cup

However, India’s penalty-corner specialists were not sufficiently effective. Against the best teams, penalty corners often decide matches, and India needs a more reliable drag-flicking experts and variation strategy.

Fitness problems were India’s drawback

Fitness and injuries were a major problem when the Netherlands-born Sjoerd Marijne returned as India’s coach. He inherited a squad with a very large number of injured players, and fitness became his first priority. Hockey India itself said that managing the players’ bodies and improving fitness were among his immediate priorities.

Captain Salima Tete deserves special mention too. Energetic, courageous and an excellent reader of the game, she provided leadership both in midfield and defence. Her willingness to put her body on the line in defensive situations personified India’s fighting spirit

But even more worrying than the technical deficiencies were reports of groupism, and lack of harmony within the squad. Marijne’s first task on returning was therefore not only ensuring tactical improvement but rebuilding trust and creating a united team.

Decline in fortunes of Indian hockey needs action on multiple fronts — sooner, the better

The women’s programme has gone through several coaching changes. Harendra Singh’s departure in late 2025 followed allegations concerning his behaviour and coaching methods, creating further divisions and uncertainty. Marijne’s return was essentially an attempt to rebuild the programme.

India have occasionally beaten or held major teams, but the leading nations possess greater consistency and depth. India need to move from being a team capable of upsetting the top sides now and then, to one that can beat them regularly.

There is encouraging progress at junior levels. For example, Jharkhand have become an important women’s hockey centre, with significant investment in artificial pitches and junior competitions. But this needs to happen across many more states so that India has a much larger pool of elite female players.

Deepika Kumari was another player who made a strong impression. The young forward has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in Indian hockey

The big question now is whether Marijne can turn the improvement that we have seen now, into consistent results and more goals. India had already demonstrated at the Tokyo Olympics that they can reach the highest level. The historic fourth-place finish in Tokyo was the country’s best-ever Olympic performance in women’s hockey. The challenge is to make that kind of performance the beginning of a forward surge that will take Indian women to the top.