Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has expressed his disappointment and frustration with the men’s national team’s performance in the FIH Pro League 2025-26, where they finished eighth for the second consecutive season. The team’s inconsistent results, particularly against top-ranked opponents, have raised questions about their ability to compete at the highest level. Sreejesh, who won over 250 caps for India and was a key member of the team that won the Asian Games gold medal in 2018, feels that the team needs to re-evaluate its approach and set more ambitious goals.
First Section: The Pro League Performance
The FIH Pro League, which features the world’s top teams, has been a litmus test for India’s progress in recent years. However, the team’s performance has been inconsistent, with wins against lower-ranked teams not translating into consistent results against stronger opponents. In the 2025-26 season, India suffered defeats against teams like Australia, Germany, and Belgium, which reinforced Sreejesh’s concerns about the team’s ability to compete at the highest level.
India’s performance in the Pro League has been a stark contrast to their dominance in Asian tournaments. While they have won several titles in the continent, the team’s inability to translate that success into consistent results against top-ranked teams has been a concern. Sreejesh feels that the team needs to focus on developing a more robust and consistent approach to playing against the world’s best teams.
Second Section: Setting Higher Goals
Sreejesh believes that India needs to set more ambitious goals and aim to compete with the world’s top teams on a regular basis. He feels that the team’s current approach of taking comfort in success in Asian tournaments is not enough and that they need to focus on developing a more competitive mindset. Sreejesh also feels that the team needs to work on developing a more cohesive and well-structured approach to playing against top-ranked teams.
The former goalkeeper also feels that the team needs to develop a more robust and experienced squad, with players who can compete at the highest level consistently. He believes that the team needs to invest in developing younger players and giving them more opportunities to play for the national team. This would not only strengthen the team but also provide a platform for young players to develop and grow.
Third Section: Coach Under Fire
Sreejesh’s comments have also sparked debate about the role of the national team coach. While the coach has been credited with leading the team to several victories in Asian tournaments, Sreejesh feels that the team’s performance in the Pro League is a clear indication that the coach’s tactics and strategies are not working. He believes that the coach needs to re-evaluate his approach and work on developing a more competitive mindset among players.
The debate about the coach’s role is likely to continue, with fans and experts weighing in on the issue. However, one thing is clear – India needs to take a hard look at their performance in the Pro League and work on developing a more competitive approach if they are to succeed at the highest level. Sreejesh’s comments have sounded the alarm, and it remains to be seen whether the team will take heed and make the necessary changes.
As the national team prepares for the upcoming Olympic qualifiers, they will be under intense scrutiny. With Sreejesh’s comments still fresh in the minds of fans and experts, the team will need to work on developing a more cohesive and well-structured approach to playing against top-ranked teams. The stakes are high, and the team will need to deliver if they are to succeed at the highest level.
