India on verge of Pro League (W) relegation;

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team: A Crucial Showdown Against China

The Indian women’s hockey team is on the cusp of a make-or-break moment in the FIH Pro League. With six consecutive losses and relegation looming, the team must secure positive results against China to avoid a disastrous outcome. The stakes are high, and the pressure is mounting, but captain Salima Tete and play a crucial role in their quest for survival.

The Bottom Line

Currently, the Indian women’s team sits at the bottom of the nine-team table with 10 points from 14 games. The threat of relegation to the second-tier FIH Nations Cup in 2026 is a harsh reality that the team cannot afford to ignore. The European leg of the tournament did not go as planned, with the team losing six consecutive matches against Australia, Argentina, and Belgium. However, the team has shown glimpses of good, attacking hockey, and with some fine-tuning, they can turn their fortunes around.

A Crucial Double Header

The upcoming double header against China is a make-or-break opportunity for the Indian team. Captain Salima Tete is determined to lead her team to victory, drawing inspiration from the Indian men’s team’s recent win against Belgium. “It is a very crucial double header for us over the weekend. But we will draw inspiration from the Indian men’s team who finished with an inspiring win against Belgium,” Tete said. The team is aware of the challenges that lie ahead, but they are confident of playing to their strengths and securing positive results.

A Learning Experience

The Pro League outing has been a learning experience for the Indian team, with several grey areas that need to be worked on. Tete acknowledged the team’s growth and the need for introspection. “This Pro League outing has been a learning experience with several grey areas that we need to work on as a team. We will be introspecting on this performance when we go back home but for now, our focus is on doing well against China,” she added.

A Familiar Opponent

India has a good record against China, having triumphed 3-0 in the pool stage and securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the final to win the Asian Champions Trophy in Bihar last November. However, the Pro League season has had a different story, with India losing 1-2 in the double header against China. Tete is aware of China’s potential and the need for the team to play to their strengths. “They are a known opponent to us, from our regular outings in the continental championships, we are aware of their potential. They are a tough team to beat, but we will play to our strengths,” she stated.

The Key to Success

The Indian team’s inability to capitalize on opportunities and convert penalty corners has been their downfall. Deepika faced immense pressure to score from penalty corners, leading to several fumbles under pressure. The midfield, featuring players like Salima Tete, Lalremsiami, Sharmila Devi, Vaisnavi Vitthal Phalke, and Neha, created ample chances for the forward line. However, the strikers struggled to deliver the decisive final touch.

The Backline

The backline, comprising Sushila Chanu, Jyoti, Ishika Chaudhary, Jyoti Chatri, and Suman Devi Toudam, also made critical errors under pressure. With relegation at stake, the Indian women cannot afford any mistakes in their last two matches. Harendra Singh will be under immense pressure to guide his team to deliver two complete performances this weekend.

A New Strategy

Prior to the European leg, Harendra enlisted Dutch great Taeke Taekema to work with the drag-flickers, but this move has yet to yield results. The Indians have struggled to convert their chances and have been sloppy at the back. With the Asia Cup in Hangzhou in September looming large, India must now aim to win the tournament to secure their place in the quadrennial event.