Hendrickx Highlights India's Potential in Upcoming Hockey World Cup

Belgian hockey player Alexander Hendrickx believes India is a strong contender for the upcoming Hockey World Cup, aiming to end a long wait for victory. He reflects on India's recent performances and their potential to compete at the highest level. Hendrickx also discusses his ambitions for the Hockey India League with the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, emphasizing the need for improved defensive strategies. Additionally, he shares insights into the cultural exchanges he experienced with Indian players, highlighting the enriching interactions beyond the sport. Read on to discover more about Hendrickx's views and aspirations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 30, 2025, 01:46 IST

India Poised for Hockey World Cup Glory, Says Hendrickx

Alexander Hendrickx, a prominent player for Belgium and the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, asserts that India is well-equipped to compete for the Hockey World Cup title next year, aiming to end a lengthy quest for international success.

The last time India claimed the Hockey World Cup was in 1975, when they triumphed over Pakistan with a score of 2-1 in Kuala Lumpur. Nearly fifty years later, hopes are high once again, and Hendrickx believes India is among the top contenders.

"India has been performing well in recent tournaments. They consistently vie for medals and titles," Hendrickx remarked.

"We also aspire to win the World Cup, but it will be a challenging tournament," he added.

The Belgian defender noted that the competition could be tightly contested, with several teams closely matched. "Five nations will be in close contention. The outcome will depend on the form of the day and critical details. India is certainly one of those top five teams that could secure the trophy in Belgium," he stated.

Aiming for Success in the Hockey India League

Hendrickx is eager to make a significant impact in the forthcoming Hockey India League (HIL) season with the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, who finished sixth last season and missed the playoffs.

"Our goals are ambitious. Initially, we aim to break into the top four, and then we will reassess our objectives," he expressed.

"We were quite disappointed last year for not achieving that goal," he added.

Enhancing Defensive Strategies

Reflecting on the previous season, Hendrickx emphasized that while the Lancers excelled offensively, defensive errors were detrimental. "We scored numerous goals, but we also conceded too many," he explained.

"A strong defensive mindset is crucial. Being strategic in specific areas will be vital," he continued.

"Compared to last year, we now have a solid first runner for corner defense. We conceded too many goals in that area, so we will intensify our training this year," Hendrickx stated.

Cultural Exchange and Team Bonding

Beyond strategies and performance, Hendrickx shared his positive experiences with Indian players during his time in the league, describing the interactions as enriching beyond the sport.

"We spent considerable time together, discussing various topics. It’s not solely about hockey," he noted.

"We had engaging conversations about their training routines and backgrounds," he added.

He expressed particular interest in learning about the journeys of younger Indian players. "The younger players were still in training schools where we also trained at one point. It’s fascinating to share cultural experiences with one another," Hendrickx concluded.