How India’s Asia Cup win in Rajgir illuminates the road to LA 2028

The twin objectives of hosting the Asia Cup men’s hockey competition at home has been fulfilled.

First, the victory, the Indian men’s hockey team’s fourth in the competition, ensured a FIH World Cup 2026 ticket and second, the tournament buoyed Rajgir’s profile as a capable international venue.

India’s victory in the tightly-packed Asia Cup can be seen from various angles. The fact that India now holds all three continental titles – Asian Games, Asian Champions Trophy and now the Asia Cup – clearly indicates regional dominance.

Coming as it did after a below-par show in the FIH Pro League where India lost seven matches on-the-trot in the European leg, the victory at Rajgir was much needed.

There is a strong feeling in the world hockey fraternity that India plays the big tournaments well. To qualify for the FIH World Cup next year without going through the qualifiers was a massive relief for Fulton’s team.

Looking ahead to Asian Games 2026 and LA 2028

India can now focus on team building, better strategic planning and preparation for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

As defending champions, victory in the Asian Games in Japan next September-October, should also grant a direct entry at the LA 2028 Olympics.

India have been in experimental mode for some time. In a recent interview with Olympics.com, skipper Harmanpreet Singh said the team was “punished” because the strategy adopted during the FIH Pro League was not entirely successful.

His words were echoed by chief coach Craig Fulton, who had urged for patience and belief in the national team.

The squad that played in the Asia Cup in Rajgir is by no means the ‘final’ one that will turn out in the FIH World Cup in Europe or the Asian Games thereafter.

The two major tournaments are within 20 days of each other and keeping injuries and form in mind, Fulton will be looking to identify a 30-odd member squad with enough competence to plug and play as and when needed.

“Qualifying for the World Cup gives us a nice buffer. We don’t have to worry about any qualifiers because we will be busy with the FIH Pro League in January-February and then the Hockey India League,” Craig Fulton said. Our roster is open and we have a pathway to make the senior team. The India A team is training at the same level and doing the same conditioning like the senior guys and the gap is not so big.”

Fulton also added that scouts will keep an eye on the junior FIH World Cup in Tamil Nadu in November-December this year.

Statistics reveal a lot in a team’s game plan. Conceding (38 goals) more than scoring (34) hurt the Indian team during the FIH Pro League.

In Rajgir, this aspect was corrected to a substantial degree as India ended up as the only team with a positive (+10) goal difference in the Super 4s stage.

The 7-0 win over the People’s Republic of China and then the commanding 4-1 victory against defending champions Republic of Korea established India’s continental superiority, but one cannot ignore the fact that India also conceded nine goals in seven matches.

“We just wanted to get more outcomes in the Dee and defend better in the 25 (yard line) and in our half. So that was the main focus,” explained Fulton.

Harmanpreet, among the top scorers in the Asia Cup with six goals, all from penalty corners, credited the many goal scorers who actually made the difference on the points table. Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh, who each scored six field goals, had an outstanding tournament with their skill, energy and dexterity.

Dilpreet Singh and Jugraj Singh (four goals apiece) were among the 14 Indians who scored at least one goal in the Asia Cup at Rajgir. The option of having players with goal-scoring ability is a great luxury for any team but this needs to be replicated against stronger oppositions and in favourable weather conditions.

In Rajgir’s energy-sapping climate, teams like China and Japan were found wanting. South Korea and Malaysia endured better and the results reflect that.

Rajgir’s emergence as hockey hotspot

The Rajgir Sports Complex, inaugurated on National Sports Day in 2024, did well to add another feather to its nicely-growing cap. In the lap of the Nalanda district, surrounded by five hills, historic Rajgir, known worldwide for its connection with Buddhism and Jainism, is fast becoming a sports hotspot in Bihar.

The sports complex has been like an “extra man” for Indian hockey teams. In November 2024, the Indian women’s hockey team won the Asian Champions Trophy by beating China 1-0 in the final.

This was India’s third women’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey title, bringing them level with the Republic of Korea as the most successful nation in the competition’s history.

The Rajgir Sports complex has facilities for 28 indoor and outdoor sports and a 50,000 capacity cricket stadium is being developed within its premises.

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