Fresh from a morale-boosting win over Olympic champion the Netherlands, India will look to build on its momentum when it faces arch-rival Pakistan in the opening match of the London leg of the FIH Pro League on Tuesday.
The clash will be the first meeting between the neighbours since India edged Pakistan 2-1 in the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy in Hulunbuir, China, courtesy of a brace from captain Harmanpreet Singh.
India finished the Rotterdam leg with two wins from four matches, including an impressive 3-2 victory over world No. 2 the Netherlands and a 3-1 triumph against reigning world champion Germany. The defeats, a 3-2 loss to the Dutch and a 2-1 reverse against Germany, were equally competitive, reflecting a marked improvement from the home leg, where India failed to register a win and conceded 19 goals in four matches.
The European campaign has provided valuable preparation ahead of this year’s FIH World Cup and the Asian Games, which also serve as an Olympic qualifier. India is currently eighth in the nine-team standings, one place above Pakistan, which is yet to earn a point.
Coach Craig Fulton will be encouraged by his side’s progress but will expect greater defensive discipline after India nearly squandered a 3-1 lead against the Netherlands by conceding late.
Penalty Corner conversions remain India’s biggest weapon through Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh and Rajinder Singh, while Fulton will seek more goals from the forwards, including Mandeep Singh and Dilpreet Singh. The midfield, led by veteran Manpreet Singh, vice-captain Hardik Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad, has been a key strength.
Pakistan arrives in London after losing all 11 of its Pro League matches against Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain, leaving it on the brink of relegation. Its preparations have also been disrupted by visa issues, with captain Ammad Shakeel Butt and possibly head coach Manzur-ul-Hasan reportedly unavailable for the England leg.
Published on Jun 22, 2026
