Can India Rewrite Hockey History? Craig Fulton Believes This Team Can Do It

Indian men's hockey team chief coach Craig Fulton has set his sights on ending India's long wait for World Cup success, saying the Harmanpreet Singh-led side wants to create its own legacy rather than live in the shadow of the country's glorious past.

India, eight-time Olympic champions, have not won a World Cup medal since lifting the trophy in 1975 under the captaincy of Ajit Pal Singh. With the FIH Hockey World Cup set to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30, Fulton believes this squad has the quality to challenge the world's best.

Having guided India to a second consecutive Olympic bronze medal in Paris, the South African coach stressed that consistency will be the key to a successful World Cup campaign. He said tournament hockey is about producing the best performances at the right time and maintaining momentum throughout the competition.

India have been placed in Pool D alongside England, Pakistan and Wales, making a strong start against Wales crucial. Fulton said the team must focus on building confidence from the opening match before taking on tougher opponents later in the tournament.

While India's current world ranking suggests they are not among the favourites, Fulton dismissed the significance of pre-tournament rankings. According to him, rankings matter only after competitions are over, and disciplined performances on the field can overcome any statistical disadvantage.

The coach also defended the inclusion of youngsters Yashdeep Siwach and Aditya Arjun Lagale in the squad. He said Yashdeep offers defensive solidity and versatility, while Aditya has impressed with his rapid development over the past year and deserves exposure at a major international event.

Looking beyond the World Cup, Fulton acknowledged that the Asian Games, which begin just weeks later and offer direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, remain another major objective. However, his immediate priority is helping India end a 51-year World Cup medal drought.

India's final league match against Pakistan is expected to be one of the tournament's biggest attractions. Fulton urged his players to embrace the historic rivalry but remain calm and avoid being overwhelmed by the occasion, insisting that executing their game plan will be more important than the emotions surrounding the contest.