Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team Achieves Remarkable Success in 2025

In 2025, the Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team marked a successful year with significant achievements, including a Bronze Medal at the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup and a Silver at the Sultan of Johor Cup. Under the guidance of coach PR Sreejesh, the team underwent rigorous training and participated in key tournaments, showcasing their skills against top international teams. Key players emerged, contributing to the team's success and laying a strong foundation for the future of Indian hockey. Read on to explore their remarkable journey and standout performances.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 28, 2025, 16:26 IST

Successful Year for Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team

The Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team concluded 2025 on a high note, securing two significant international medals and establishing a solid groundwork for the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, scheduled for December. The campaign's foundation was built through a series of rigorous national training camps conducted throughout the year, led by coach PR Sreejesh. These camps were instrumental in assembling a competitive squad and ensuring players were primed for the upcoming Junior World Cup.

Success at the Four Nations Tournament

India's preparation kicked off with the Four Nations Tournament in June, which provided a vital opportunity to compete against strong European teams. The junior squad faced Germany, Spain, and Australia, ultimately finishing third after a crucial 2-1 victory over Australia in the third-place match. This tournament was essential for gaining match experience and refining team strategies ahead of the World Cup.

Silver Medal at Sultan of Johor Cup

Building on their earlier success, the team participated in the Sultan of Johor Cup in October, where they showcased a strong performance, earning the Silver Medal. India achieved significant wins against Great Britain, New Zealand, and Malaysia, and drew 3-3 with Pakistan, advancing to the final after a solid league stage. In the final match, India faced a narrow defeat, losing 1-2 to Australia.

Bronze Medal at the Junior World Cup

The culmination of their efforts was seen at the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, where India delivered an impressive performance on home turf. They began with three convincing wins in the pool stage against Chile, Oman, and Switzerland, progressing to the knockout rounds.

Thrilling Quarter-Final Win

The quarter-final was a pivotal moment, with India triumphing over Belgium 4-3 in a shootout, thanks to goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh's outstanding saves that secured their place in the semi-finals.

Comeback for Bronze

Despite a 1-5 loss to Germany in the semi-finals, India demonstrated resilience in the third-place playoff, staging a remarkable comeback against Argentina. After trailing by two goals, India scored four consecutive goals in the final quarter to clinch the bronze medal. Manmeet Singh emerged as the top scorer for India with six goals, while Shardanand Tiwari and Dilraj Singh each contributed five goals.

Key Players Shine

Throughout the year, the Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team evolved into a cohesive and confident unit, with several players stepping up during critical moments. Captain Rohit emerged as a strong leader, enhancing his drag-flicking skills, which proved vital in key matches. In the forward line, Dilraj Singh and Arshdeep Singh consistently found the net, while Prince Deep Singh became a reliable presence in goal, and Anmol Ekka played a crucial role in linking defense and attack from midfield.

With a Bronze Medal at the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 and a Silver at the Sultan of Johor Cup, the season not only yielded impressive results but also set a robust foundation for the future of Indian hockey, guided by the vision of Hockey India.