Winning back-to-back bronze medals at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics sparked optimism that Indian hockey was on the rise again. Yet, the failure of both the men's and women's teams to reach the semi-finals at the Hockey World Cup 2026 quickly tempered those hopes. Former goalkeeper and captain PR Sreejesh openly criticized the teams’ performances, highlighting that World Cups are top-tier competitions, not just opportunities for gaining experience. India’s defense struggled considerably, conceding the most goals among the top eight teams, with 12 goals from open play emphasizing the team’s defensive weaknesses.
Replacing legendary defenders such Birendra Lakra, and Rupinder Pal Singh has proven difficult for the Indian team. Additionally, the dip in form of key player Harmanpreet Singh has compounded problems, as his scoring rate has steadily declined since 2023. These issues were evident even before the World Cup, as India finished 8th in the FIH Pro League, ahead of only Pakistan, signaling challenges in competing against top teams.
Former captain Viren Rasquinha pointed out that even winning gold at the Asian Games may hold limited value, given the overall decline in Asian hockey standards. This reflects broader concerns about the depth and quality of competition India faces in the region. Complicating these sporting challenges are criticisms of Hockey India's priorities, which appeared to focus more on superficial changes, such as altering jersey colors, rather than strengthening the team’s on-field success.