Hockey World Cup: Can Indian women create history and top Pool D?

“Whether anyone expects us or not, we have high expectations for ourselves. Even before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, no one imagined we would finish fourth. This time, in the World Cup, we want to go one step further and finish on the podium so that Indian women’s hockey has a rich legacy, just like men’s hockey.”

These words from Savita Punia, as quoted by PTI, will strike a chord with most Indian hockey fans who have seen the women’s team evolve over the years. They have often been left in the shadow of the men’s team, who have the legacy of having eight Olympic gold medals to their name. For the women’s team, a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics felt like a huge achievement.

HOCKEY WORLD CUP 2026: FULL COVERAGE

But since then, they have been searching for that one moment that sparks a revolution for them on the big stage. Coaches came and went, and so did some of the senior players. Sjoerd Marijne came back, and this time he had a deeper pool of talent to use. One that has quality and depth.

It was evident when the women’s team went toe-to-toe with Olympic silver medallists China and when they brushed aside the challenge from South Africa.

For the women’s team now, history beckons. Their best performance in the World Cup was a fourth-place finish in the 1974 edition, when they reached the semi-finals.

The Indian team has already started to change the course of their own history with the 6-1 win against South Africa. It was their biggest margin of win in the World Cup.

Now, they have another crack at destiny with a chance to win their pool. This is something they have never done before, and if they get a win against England on Thursday, August 20,

WHAT INDIA NEEDS TO DO TO FINISH TOP

For India to finish top of the group, they will need to beat England. A draw will be enough for them to make it to the next round, but if China does beat South Africa, then they will finish second.

One thing India will need to avoid is suffer a loss against England. If they end up losing and China gets a draw or a win against South Africa, then India will end up failing to make it to the second round of the competition altogether and will have to compete for the 9th-16th rankings.

INDIA VS ENGLAND: HEAD-TO-HEAD

India and England have faced off 11 times so far. England have been able to beat India five times during this time, with three of them ending in draws. India have beaten England three times, with their last win coming during the 2025 Pro League.

India were actually beaten by England during the FIH World Cup 2026 qualifiers earlier in the year in Hyderabad. This means that they will need to be wary of the threat posed by them in the upcoming fixture.

“We shouldn’t rest easy after holding China to a draw and defeating South Africa. England are a very good team and gave China a tough challenge. They are ranked higher than us and have already defeated us this year, so we need to play cautiously,” Marijne said.

WHAT INDIA NEEDS TO WORK ON

While many may feel that the result against South Africa was perfect. However, there were many areas that India needs to improve on. For one, there was a lot of space that was given to South Africa while they were on the counter.

Often during counter-attacks, it almost felt like India were going to concede a goal that was going to peg them back. While the quality of play and finishing from South Africa let India off the hook, you cannot expect the same from higher-ranked sides.

If India make it to the next round, they will be facing hosts and Olympic champions Netherlands and Australia. These are two teams capable of punishing their opposition for even the slightest of mistakes.

Another one is the passing accuracy that the team has shown in the tournament. Often, stray passes have led to India allowing a turnover and losing possession far too often.

This was something even Marijne spoke about after the win over South Africa. He believes that modern hockey is all dependent on passing and individual brilliance won’t always guarantee victory.

“The quality of passing should be better. We always talk in India about individual skills, but international hockey is all about passing. We were a little bumpy today in passing, not efficient with the direction or receiving,” said Marijne after the win against South Africa.

So for India, the game against England comes at the right moment. They have destiny in their own hands and a chance at truly stepping out of the shadow of the men’s team and making their own story during the World Cup.

– Ends