India’s Olympic gold-winning hockey captain, V. Baskaran, believes that the current outfit has dribbled past one of its biggest challenges — preparation — for the Hockey World Cup to be held in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15.
“The format is different this time, but I feel India is the best-prepared team. I think it is a balanced side. We have two players appearing in their fourth World Cup, six or seven in their third, a couple in their second, and six or seven making their debut. Even those debutants have played 20 to 25 international games, especially in Europe, and have enough exposure. I don’t see any weak link,” Baskaran said at a event in the city on Friday.
“Overall, I feel the team is in safe hands. The forwards have to convert their chances, the midfield has to keep creating opportunities, the defenders must avoid major errors… the biggest positive is that both our goalkeepers are in very good form,” he added.
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Baskaran, who led the country to the top of the podium in Moscow in 1980, said the knockout stage would be crucial.
“If India finishes in the top two in its pool, the quarterfinal will be the real test. Beyond that, it is anybody’s tournament. There has been a long drought (since Ajit Pal Singh’s side triumphed in 1975), but I believe India can do well in this World Cup and progress past the league stage. Pakistan will be competitive, but India should beat Wales. England will play cautiously and not take unnecessary risks. It should be a good tournament for India.”
Published on Aug 07, 2026
