0 months ago
Accidental Goalkeeper Mohith HS Named India's World Cup Hope
There is a very big hockey tournament called the FIH Hockey World Cup.
This year it will be held in two countries: the Netherlands and Belgium.
India is one of the teams playing, and they really want to win the trophy.
One of India's players is Mohith HS, a 24-year-old goalkeeper from Karnataka.
A goalkeeper's job is to stop the other team from scoring goals.
Mohith did not start out wanting to be a goalkeeper—he got the job by accident because his school team needed one, and his coach chose him because he is tall.
His great play in the FIH Pro League earned him a spot on India's World Cup team, and India beat strong teams like the Netherlands and Germany to build confidence.
Mohith is inspired by PR Sreejesh, a famous Indian goalkeeper, and hopes to help India win the World Cup.
India has won this tournament only once before, way back in 1975.
Mohith HS, 24, an accidental goalkeeper from Karnataka, has been selected for the FIH Hockey World Cup.
He will share goalkeeping duties with experienced Suraj Karkera at the tournament co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30.
Consistent performances in the FIH Pro League, particularly the final leg, earned Mohith his World Cup spot.
Inspired by legendary goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, Mohith says he will give 100% to help India become world champions once again.
India's lone FIH World Cup title came in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur, and the team enters this edition confident after wins over the Netherlands and Germany.
- Who
- Mohith HS, a 24-year-old goalkeeper from Karnataka, alongside fellow goalkeeper Suraj Karkera and the Indian men's hockey team.
- What
- Mohith HS was selected to represent India at the FIH Hockey World Cup as one of the team's two goalkeepers.
- Where
- The Netherlands and Belgium, co-hosts of the FIH Hockey World Cup.
- When
- The tournament runs from August 15 to 30, 2026.
- Why
- His consistent performances in the FIH Pro League earned him the selection, fulfilling his dream of doing something big for India after a fourth-place finish at the Junior World Cup.
Key facts
- Player
- Mohith HS
- Age
- 24
- Position
- Goalkeeper
- Home state
- Karnataka
- Tournament
- FIH Hockey World Cup 2026
- Dates
- August 15 to 30
- Hosts
- Netherlands and Belgium
- India's last World Cup title
- 1975, Kuala Lumpur
Quotes
Mohith HS
24‑year‑old Karnataka goalkeeper, India’s 2026 World Cup squad member
“"I always had a mindset to represent India in major tournaments because when I played in the Junior World Cup, we were not able to finish on the podium; we ended up fourth. So, from that time, it was my dream to do something big for India."”
thestatesman.com
rediff.com
“"We have learnt a lot from him (Sreejesh). But it’s not that we are under pressure to fill those shoes because he has done so well for India. We will give 100% on the ground, and then we will see what happens."”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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