New Delhi, 31 December (H.S.): The year 2025 proved to be a mixed one for the Indian women’s hockey team, marked by moments of promise as well as disappointment. The team clinched a silver medal at the Women’s Asia Cup 2025, displaying resilience and teamwork, but a 1–4 loss to China in the final denied them a direct qualification spot for next year’s FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup.

Their underwhelming campaign in the FIH Pro League further compounded the challenges, pushing them down to compete in the FIH Nations Cup for the upcoming season.

Testing Start on the Australia Tour

The Indian women began their international year with a five-match tour of Australia in late April, gaining valuable exposure against a top-tier side. The tour concluded with mixed results — India lost the first two matches 0–2 and 2–3, before securing a solitary 1–0 victory in the final game. Across the five matches, India managed one win and four defeats, including two opening losses to the Australia A team.

Despite the results, the tour was viewed as a crucial developmental phase, providing young players with an opportunity to prove themselves on the international stage. The experience also allowed the coaching staff to assess the next generation of Indian talent in competitive conditions.

Disappointing FIH Pro League Campaign

The 2024–25 FIH Women’s Pro League turned out to be a difficult outing for India. Against powerhouses such as Australia, Argentina, Belgium, and China, the team struggled to find rhythm and consistency. Out of 16 matches, India secured only two victories and finished with 10 points, placing last in the standings. The team suffered 11 losses overall, including a run of eight consecutive defeats to close the campaign — a slide that resulted in their relegation to the Nations Cup.

While there were flashes of promise — including a memorable penalty shootout win against the Netherlands and several close encounters — defensive lapses and missed scoring opportunities at critical moments proved costly.

Nevertheless, the fighting spirit, improved fitness, and tactical awareness demonstrated by the younger players have injected optimism into India’s long-term prospects. The team now sees the Nations Cup as a key opportunity to refine its penalty-corner conversion rate, build depth, and aim for a successful return to the Pro League in the 2026–27 season.

Silver Lining at the Asia Cup

Despite the absence of penalty-corner specialist Deepika and seasoned goalkeeper Savita Punia, the Indian team produced a commendable performance at the Women’s Asia Cup 2025, held in China. Dominating the group stage with convincing wins, India advanced to the final, where they went down fighting against the hosts to settle for silver.

The campaign reflected India’s growing tactical balance, collective energy, and consistency in continental competitions, reinforcing the country’s stature in Asian hockey.

Looking Ahead with Confidence

According to Hockey India, the blend of emerging and experienced players has brought fresh energy to the national setup. The team’s narrow defeats and sustained intensity against stronger opponents have enhanced their mental resilience and composure under pressure — qualities that were evident during the Asia Cup campaign.

The focus now shifts to the FIH Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers, with specialized training camps underway emphasizing data-driven preparation, defensive structure, and quicker game transitions.

Overall, 2025 stood as a year of challenges, growth, and crucial lessons for Indian women’s hockey — setting the foundation for a more confident and battle-hardened side heading into 2026’s international season.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar