Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Sreejesh Demands Accountability After India’s Hockey World Cup Exits
India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams did not reach the World Cup semifinals.
The men lost 3-5 to Argentina.
The women drew 0-0 with Australia.
Former goalkeeper PR Sreejesh said the teams’ preparation and planning should be examined.
He asked whether India is trying only to play well or also to beat the strongest teams.
Sreejesh was especially concerned that the women’s chief coach was away shortly before the tournament.
He praised the players for continuing to fight hard.
Former captain Viren Rasquinha said an Asian Games victory should not hide problems in fitness, selection, tactics or squad depth.
India’s men lost 3-5 to Argentina and missed the World Cup semifinals.
India’s women drew 0-0 with Australia and also failed to reach the last four.
PR Sreejesh questioned Hockey India’s preparation, standards and accountability after both exits.
Sreejesh criticized the women’s chief coach’s reported absence during the final preparation phase.
Viren Rasquinha warned that an Asian Games gold could conceal deeper problems in men’s hockey.
- Who
- India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams, former goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, and former captain Viren Rasquinha are central to the reports.
- What
- Both Indian teams exited the FIH Hockey World Cup before the semifinals, prompting criticism of preparation, coaching and accountability.
- When
- The men’s defeat occurred on Monday, and the reports identify the tournament as the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
- Where
- The reports discuss India’s World Cup campaigns and say the Asian Games will be held in Japan.
- Why
- Sreejesh and Rasquinha called for examination of preparation and broader hockey problems rather than allowing future tournament results to obscure the World Cup exits.
Accountability and Introspection
Focus on Future Tournaments
How to respond to the World Cup exits
Accountability and Introspection
Sreejesh and Rasquinha said India should ask difficult questions about preparation, fitness, selection, tactics and squad depth.
Focus on Future Tournaments
The alternative approach criticized by Sreejesh is to move quickly to the Asian Games, seek a medal and then focus on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Women’s team preparation
Accountability and Introspection
Sreejesh questioned whether the women could perform at their best when the chief coach was reportedly away during the final preparation phase, while crediting the players’ effort.
Focus on Future Tournaments
The reports do not include a response from Hockey India or the coaching staff defending or explaining the coach’s absence.
Standards for judging the men’s team
Accountability and Introspection
Sreejesh questioned whether India is being built to defeat the world’s best, rather than merely play attractive hockey or treat losses as learning experiences.
Focus on Future Tournaments
Future success against Asian opposition, including a possible Asian Games gold medal, is presented as the competing focus, though Rasquinha warned that such success could mask deeper problems.
- Men’s result
- India lost 3-5 to Argentina.
- Women’s result
- India drew 0-0 with Australia.
- Semifinal outcome
- Neither Indian team reached the World Cup semifinals.
- Men’s next match
- India was scheduled to face Belgium in the seventh-eighth place classification match.
- Preparation concern
- Sreejesh questioned the reported absence of women’s chief coach Sjoerd Marijne during the final preparation phase.
- Men’s World Cup record
- The defeat extended India’s wait for a men’s World Cup podium finish to 51 years; India’s only title came in 1975.
- Future focus
- India’s attention now shifts to the Asian Games in Japan and the push toward qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
- Qualification detail
- Australia advanced over India after their 0-0 draw because Australia had scored more goals in the tournament.
Sources
‘Coach on holiday before World Cup, but where is the accountability?’ Indian hockey under scrutiny after exits
'Does Anyone Care': PR Sreejesh Fumes Over India's Hockey World Cup Debacle; Calls For Accountability