N. Mukesh Kumar, one of the world’s finest right-wingers hockey has ever seen, believes that the Harmanpreet Singh-led Indian team has the ability to put up a memorable performance in the FIH World Cup men’s tournament in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15.
The famed hockey star of yesteryears from Hyderabad, who played in two forgetful World Cups for him and the team, says that Harmanpreet holds the key to the team’s fortunes.
“I believe he has brought more self-belief and confidence into this Indian team. Yes, there are not many skilful players compared to our era. But the fact that this Indian team has done really well in the run-up to the FIH World Cup is a good augury,” the 56-year-old Mukesh informed Sportstar.
“The strong-point of this Indian team is the combinations it has for the penalty-corners. Harmanpreet, Jugraj Singh and Amit Rohidas have been brilliant when they got the chances. All India needs is consistency in penalty-corner conversions which has been the bane of Indian hockey for long,” the triple Olympian reasoned out.
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“Yes, the forwards Sukhjeet Singh and Abhishek Nain need to live up to the expectations with solid support from the midfield comprising Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad and Nilakanta Sharma,” he said. “Definitely, we miss the class and experience of someone like PR Sreejesh under the bar. But that also gives a huge opportunity for others like HS Mohith and Suraj Karkera carve a niche for themselves,” he said.
“The pool featuring India, Wales, England and Pakistan may not look imposing for us. Pakistan, as we all know, is not the same as it was even a decade ago. So, if we contain England, we should make it to the knock-out phase and then the real test crops up,” Mukesh said.
“From my own experience, what I have noticed is the tendency of the Indian teams to do really well in the tournaments and international matches before a World Cup or an Olympics. Somehow, the Indian teams consistently failed to get the better of the same teams whom they have beaten comprehensively before these Majors,” he said.
“The foreign teams mostly pool a month before a World Cup or an Olympics and look a totally different proposition, taking the fitness and the skill-set to the next level. This has been one of the major factors for India’s poor showing in World Cups,” he said.
Reflecting on the foreign coach Craig Fulton, Mukesh lauded his efforts, pointing to the results, especially winning the 2024 Paris Olympics bronze and also some significant wins later on.
“I only wish that Fulton gets the best out of the team by not being over-aggressive, sober in putting across tough messages when a player falters than in demoralising him with tough talk in front of everyone in the process of fault-finding,” said Mukesh, who played 307 internationals and scored 80 goals.
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For someone who still holds the record for scoring the fastest goal (in 32 seconds) in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Mukesh’s advice to the Indian team is not to think too much about the World Cup.
“It is a question of pride to represent India in a World Cup but that cannot be an excuse to feel the pressure. It is a team game no doubt, but crucial lapses on the field by a couple of individuals can prove costly,” the 1998 Asian Games gold medallist said.
Reflecting on the playing conditions, Mukesh said “they are far better now and the onus is on the players to raise the bar”.
“In our days, both myself and Dhanraj Pillay had to stick to our flanks and wait for the opportunities created by the right-in and left-in. Now, if you look at most of the teams, they change the flanks so easily and with great success too,” the former India captain said.
“I think this is one area where India needs to step on the gear. Somehow, I believe this Indian team can come up with a performance which should please the hockey fans back home more than compared to the last two editions when we lost in the quarterfinals,” Mukesh said.
“Honestly, the semifinal may not be a difficult achievement for this Indian team and with a little bit of luck and the desired consistency, anything can happen. Let us be optimistic given the kind of exposure, preparations this team has got,” he signed off.
Published on Aug 14, 2026
