Commonwealth Games 2022: What are Indian mens hockey teams chances to clinch their first-ever gold medal?

As the Commonwealth Games begin on July 28, Indian men’s hockey team is looking to reclaim their position among the world’s elite teams. They ended a 41-year wait to win a medal at the Olympics in Tokyo 2020, however, their road to the top still has a long way to go.

The Indian men’s hockey team has never won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. Compared to the men’s team, the women’s team have won the elusive gold medal once at the mega event, however, have not performed in line with their male counterparts at the FIH Pro League or the last edition of the Olympics, when they finished at the fourth place.

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However, the Indian men’s team is looking to bridge the gap in this edition of the CWG, and win their first-ever gold medal in hockey. But the question rises, can they do it?

Coached by Graham Reid, the Indian men’s team have gone from strength to strength to cement their position in the world. They displayed an impressive performance in Tokyo, and since then, have gone on to replicate their performance on many occasions, defeating teams like England, France, Spain, Germany, South Africa and Argentina in the FIH Pro League. Their best performance came against South Africa, whom they beat 10-2 on two occasions.

However, it is Australia the Indian men’s team needs to worry the most about. Three times World Cup winners, the Aussies have won all six gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, and it was them who defeated India in the final in both 2010 and 2014 editions to limit them to a silver medal.

Australia is currently the no. 1 team in the world and are also the favourites at the CWG. However, the Indian men’s hockey team, who are coming on the back of their best-ever FIH Pro League campaign, where they finished third, could just offer the resistance to Australia in their road to the gold medal.

India’s frontlines have not been questioned in recent years, having performed admirably well in the FIH Pro League as well. However, they will need to take extra care of their defence, which conceded 40 goals in the recently concluded FIH Pro League, the fifth most among all teams.

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The Indian men’s team begin their campaign against Ghana on Sunday, July 30. Apart from the African side, they are placed with England, Canada and Wales and are expected to cruise through the group stages.

Captain Manpreet Singh, who is set to make his 300th appearance for the Indian team, will be one of the most integral members of the team in their road to the gold medal. Along with Manpreet, drag-flick specialist Harmanpreet Singh, keeper PR Sreejesh and Nilakanta Sharma will also be central to Reid’s plans.

The Indian team holds experience, surprise and a good recent performance — all markers of a champion side going into the Commonwealth Games 2022 and it is just a matter of time to see whether they are able to script history or not.