Sreejesh Criticizes Indian Hockey Management After World Cup Exit

Former Indian hockey captain and two-time Olympic bronze medallist PR Sreejesh has sharply criticized the management and accountability structures within Indian hockey following the national teams' failure to reach the semifinals at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. His public rebuke came after both the men's and women's campaigns ended in the second round, extending a decades-long drought at the sport's premier event.

The men's team was eliminated on Monday, August 24, after a 3-5 defeat to Argentina at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands. Needing a two-goal victory to advance, India conceded five goals while scoring three, with Sukhjeet Singh netting twice and Hardik Singh converting a penalty stroke. The loss means India will now face Belgium in the seventh-eighth place classification match. The women's team had exited the tournament the previous day, held to a 0-0 draw by Australia in their final second-round match. Australia advanced to the semifinals on the tiebreaker of goals scored, leaving India to contest the fifth-place playoff against Germany.

Taking to the social media platform X on August 24, Sreejesh questioned the strategic direction and priorities...