India's hockey coach Fulton asserts that adhering to their strategy will lead to victory against any opponent.

Following a challenging campaign in the FIH Pro League, India's national men's hockey team is looking to build on recent successes, according to head coach Craig Fulton. The team showcased its potential with impressive victories over reigning world champions Germany and the Netherlands, who are the current Olympic gold medalists. Despite these highlights, India finished the league in eighth place out of nine teams, accumulating 19 points from 16 matches, just above Pakistan, which ended the tournament without a single point.

Fulton expressed optimism about the team's growth, emphasizing that the recent wins have significantly boosted their confidence. "One of the biggest takeaways from this Pro League run has been watching the team's confidence grow. Wins over Germany and the Netherlands, plus a strong showing against England, prove that when we stick to our game plan, we’re capable of matching and beating anyone in the world," he stated. He noted that the team is focused on refining their performance as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup and Asian Games.

The coach highlighted the maturity displayed by the players, particularly their ability to remain composed under pressure and adapt to various playing styles. "Even more encouraging is how much this group has matured. We’ve stayed calm under pressure, adjusted to different playing styles, and pulled out wins in tight games. That kind of experience is exactly what we’ll need," Fulton added, indicating that the team is laying a solid foundation for future challenges.

India's journey in the Pro League began on a difficult note, with losses to Belgium and Argentina during the home leg in Rourkela. However, signs of improvement emerged in Hobart, where the team managed to draw against Australia and Spain after an initial defeat to Spain. The squad's resilience was evident as they won a crucial shootout against Australia after a tightly contested match.

As the Pro League progressed to Europe, India demonstrated significant improvement, particularly in their defensive strategies. In Rotterdam, they achieved notable victories against Germany and the Netherlands, scoring a total of nine goals in four matches. The team's performance continued to shine in London, where they remained unbeaten in regulation time against both Pakistan and England. Captain Harmanpreet Singh reflected on the team's progress, stating, "Beating top-ranked sides is always special, but more importantly, it shows that the hard work we're putting in as a team is paying off." He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum as they head into the World Cup and Asian Games, acknowledging the contributions from all areas of the team while recognizing the need for further improvement.