The Indian men’s hockey team concluded its 2025–26 Pro League campaign with a 3‑2 win in a penalty‑shootout against England after a 0‑0 draw in London on Sunday, 8 June 2026. The result gave India 19 points from 16 matches, placing them eighth in the nine‑team table; Pakistan finished below them.
India won only four matches during the season, with the rest ending in draws or defeats. The final standings saw the host England first, followed by Belgium, France, Spain, Netherlands, Argentina, Australia, India, and Pakistan last.
Indian hockey coach Jaspreet Singh has publicly criticized the team’s performance and the coaching arrangements. Rajasthan player and former international Sreejesh Kumar, who has previously expressed concerns about the team’s management, called the coaching staff’s strategy “pale” and questioned the remuneration of the foreign coach, noting that the coach receives a monthly salary of ₹25 lakh.
Sreejesh, who was on the bench during the match, said the team’s preparation had been inadequate and that the coaching approach failed to motivate the players. He also highlighted the need for a “more robust system” to develop young talent and improve the national squad’s competitiveness.
India’s assistant coach, Lindsay O’Neill, defended the coaching staff, stating that the team had faced a tough schedule and that the coaching methods were designed to build resilience. He added that the squad had improved over the season and that the coaching staff would review the results to make necessary adjustments.
The Hockey Federation of India (HFI) has not yet released an official statement regarding the fallout from the match or the comments made by Sreejesh. The federation has historically maintained a tight control over coaching appointments and player selections.
The Pro League, organized by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), is a global competition featuring the top national teams. India’s eighth‑place finish marks a decline from their previous season, where they finished sixth.
The team’s performance has sparked debate among fans and analysts about the future of Indian hockey, the suitability of foreign coaches, and the need for systemic reforms in player development.
Analysis: The comments from Sreejesh Kumar reflect growing frustration among Indian players regarding the current coaching structure and remuneration policies. The quoted salary of ₹25 lakh per month for the foreign coach highlights a potential disparity between coaching compensation and player wages, which could affect team morale. However, no official documentation confirms the exact salary figure, and the HFI has not publicly disclosed the coach’s contract terms. The timing of the criticism—immediately after a Pro League match—suggests that the remarks were intended to influence public perception and possibly pressure the federation into reconsidering its coaching appointments.
Sources
– “Rs 25 lakh a month for this? Sreejesh tears into India’s foreign coach after Pro League flop.” Times of India, 8 June 2026. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/top-stories/rs-25-lakh-a-month-for-this-pr-sreejesh-tears-into-indias-foreign-coach-after-pro-league-flop/articleshow/132140488.cms
Story synopsis gathered from: Times of India – Top Stories — source
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