Tokyo Olympics: Here's why Indian men's hockey team can win a medal

The Men in Blue will be aiming to end a 41-year wait for an Olympic medal in the 2021 Games.

The Indian men's hockey team has had a glorious past in the Olympics like no other. Having claimed an unprecedented six successive gold medals from 1928 to 1956, they went onto add two more in 1964 and 1980. The Indians have also claimed one silver and two bronze medals in the sport.

As such, India's record in the sport on the grandest stage is unparalleled. However, the country has gone through some difficult moments in recent years. Since reaching the lowest ebb of failing to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the team has bounced back since then. There has been a recent resurgence over the last decade which now leaves India in a good position ahead of the upcoming Games.

We look at five reasons why the Indian men's hockey team have a glorious chance of finally ending their hoodoo and claim an Olympic medal in Tokyo:

5. Emergence of the Hockey India League

After the dubious distinction of failing to qualify for the Olympics in 2008, the Indian team lost all their matches to finish rock bottom in London 2012.

This was a major cause of concern, with many thinking that the golden days will never come back. However, in 2013, Hockey India announced the introduction of the newly launched Hockey India League (HIL). The HIL was a franchise-based league that initially started with five teams but later expanded to six. Several household Indian names, as well as marquee foreign signings, were in action with the league becoming an instant success.

It proved to be a major boost for Indian hockey. Several youngsters got a proper platform to showcase their talent, one which they had been craving for years. The league also enabled the young Indian players to share the same dressing room with several experienced overseas players, which helped them to further develop their game. However, the league has had a fair share of its problems. After the 2014 season, the Mumbai Magicians was disbanded while the inaugural champions Ranchi Rhinos suffered a similar fate.

Several members of the current Indian national team squad developed their game in the HIL. There's no doubt the league has had a positive impact on the sport in the country. This is evident from India's much-improved showing in Rio 2016 when they reached the quarter-finals. HIL last took place in the year 2017, with calls from many former Indian players to restart the league. The Hockey India League has sowed the seeds for Indian hockey's resurgence, and the Indian national team could reap rewards because of it in Tokyo.

4. Graham Reid's winning mentality

In April 2019, Graham Reid was appointed as the new head coach of the Indian men's hockey team. Reid had earlier been a part of the Australian and the Dutch national team setup. He was also in charge of the Amsterdamsche Hockey & Bandy Club (AH&BC), the oldest hockey club in the Netherlands.

The Australian was a prominent international in his playing days. He was a versatile player and played as a defender and midfielder, earning 130 appearances for the Australian national team and going onto score 36 goals. Reid won a silver medal in the 1992 Olympics, four gold medals in the Champions Trophy and other major honours.

Reid thus brought a winning mentality with him to India. Since being appointed as the coach, he has stressed the mental side of the game. He believes that the Indians have a natural mental strength that they should be able to utilize during adverse situations. He has worked tirelessly during the lockdown after the team secured an Olympics berth during his reign. Graham Reid's experience at the highest level and winning mentality will be a crucial factor for the team during their run-in at the Tokyo Olympics.

3. Encouraging recent performances

Since securing their place in the Tokyo Olympics, the Indians haven't had a lot of hockey matches owing to the pandemic. However, a glance at the current FIH World Rankings shows the amount of progress India has had. The Men in Blue are currently the highest-ranked Asian team, sitting in 5th place. They had even managed to achieve their highest-ever ranking last year when they had climbed to fourth.

The Indians knew that there would be few opportunities to play quality matches, so they wanted to make sure that they tackled the best teams ahead of the Olympics. Therefore, earlier this year India went on a tour of Europe to face Germany and Great Britain. In their first international in over a year, the Indians outclassed the Germans 6-1 in Krefeld. The next match ended in a 1-1 stalemate against the same opponents. India thus finished unbeaten against Germany on their own turf.

Graham Reid's troops next travelled to Antwerp, the Netherlands to face Great Britain. India salvaged a 1-1 draw in the first match before a splendid performance saw the Britishers beaten 3-2 in the concluding match. The Indians finished a successful European tour unbeaten.

The recent tour of the Indian team was equally encouraging. They had a commendable six-game run against Olympic champions Argentina in Buenos Aires. Two friendly victories were picked up, alongside a draw and a narrow loss. The FIH Pro League matches witnessed India pick up two victories - one in a penalty shootout and the other in regulation time. Thus, the Men in Blue will be in a confident mood ahead of the commencement of their Tokyo Olympics journey in late July.

2. Manpreet's leadership, Sreejesh's experience

Manpreet Singh has been a crucial member of the Indian hockey team's resurgence. Having made his senior team debut in 2011, he has been an ever-present part of the team since. The 28-year-old midfielder has already amassed 267 international caps, netting 22 goals. His leadership skills are evident, with several youngsters looking up to him as an inspiration. He was a part of the 2012 and 2016 Olympics squad but knows that the current crop is more talented. The Jalandhar boy will be looking to spur his team on to new heights in Tokyo.

Another pivotal member of the Indian squad in Japan will be PR Sreejesh. The goalkeeper has been around the senior national team setup since 2006, recording 234 international caps since. He is a leader at the back, with his organizational qualities on show in the tour to Europe, in the absence of Manpreet. This might be the 33-year-old's last chance of claiming glory on the biggest stage and he will make sure to leave no stone unturned.

The duo could play a pivotal role in the upcoming Olympics, which might help the Indians have a memorable tournament in Tokyo.

1. Success hungry young players

The X-factor for the Indian Olympic team could be the number of talented youngsters in the squad. Graham Reid is sure to have a selection headache trying to choose the cream of the crop.

Several young players are waiting in the wings to shine in the upcoming Olympics. The likes of Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Raj Kumar Pal, Jarmanpreet Singh, Dipsan Tirkey, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Simranjeet Singh, Samsher Singh, Gursahibjit Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Shilanand Lakra will all be in with a shout for a coveted place in the travelling Indian squad. Many of them have produced eye-catching performances in recent outings.

Starting with the opening match against New Zealand on July 24, the Indians would have to play five group stage matches in a week. This is where the young group of Indian players could come in handy. In addition, the humidity will also play its part. With matches coming thick and fast, the Indian camp will be hoping that the youngsters can step up to the occasion and light up the Oi Hockey Stadium.

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