The Indian women’s hockey team concluded 2025 with a silver medal at the Women’s Asia Cup, reinforcing their standing among Asia’s top sides while drawing lessons from a challenging year on the global stage.
India entered the season with confidence after winning the 2024 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir, edging China 1–0 in the final. However, sustaining that momentum through 2025 proved difficult as the team faced strong opposition across formats and continents.
The year began with a five-match tour of Australia in April, where India tested themselves against the Hockeyroos. After losing the first two matches 2–0 and 3–2, India registered a narrow 1–0 win through Navneet Kaur. The tour provided valuable exposure for younger players and helped assess the squad against elite competition.
India’s struggles were more pronounced in the 2024–25 FIH Hockey Pro League, where they finished last with 10 points from 16 matches. Wins were limited to two matches, while 11 defeats led to relegation to the FIH Nations Cup. Losses to teams such as Australia, Argentina, Belgium and China highlighted issues with consistency and defensive lapses in key moments.
Their campaign ended with a 3–2 defeat to China in Berlin, a result that reflected the broader season — flashes of attacking promise undermined by missed chances and errors at the back. Still, positives included a penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands and competitive performances against higher-ranked opponents.
Despite missing key players such as penalty-corner specialist Deepika and veteran goalkeeper Savita, India produced a strong showing at the Women’s Asia Cup in China. They topped the group stage and reached the final, settling for silver after a closely fought loss to the hosts.
The tournament showcased India’s energetic pressing, disciplined defence and improved circle play, while young players blended effectively with experienced campaigners under pressure.
With attention now turning to the FIH Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers, India are focusing on depth, penalty-corner efficiency and defensive structure as they seek a return to the Pro League in the 2026–27 cycle.
The Asian silver medal provided a positive end to the year, offering momentum as the team looks to translate continental consistency into stronger results at the global level.
(IANS)
