2 weeks ago
Sreejesh Says Pakistan Rivalry Less Tough Ahead of World Cup
India and Pakistan are longtime rivals in field hockey.
They will play each other at the 2026 Hockey World Cup.
Former Indian captain PR Sreejesh said Pakistan is not as difficult to beat as it used to be.
He said India has become fitter and better at making decisions.
Sreejesh also said Pakistan still has potential, but its current team is not at the same level as before.
He wants India to defend actively instead of standing too far back.
He praised Harmanpreet Singh for helping the team and supporting younger players.
Fans can watch the match live on JioHotstar and Star Sports.
PR Sreejesh said India-Pakistan matches are less difficult than in the past because India has improved in fitness, strength, awareness and decision-making.
He said Pakistan’s current team is not at its former level, although it still has potential.
Sreejesh urged India to avoid dropping too deep, press high and defend beyond the center line when possible.
He praised captain Harmanpreet Singh, saying a hockey captain’s most important work is often done off the field.
India face Pakistan on August 19 after losing their previous World Cup match to England, with the match scheduled at Amstelveen’s 10,000-seat Wagener Stadium.
- Who
- India and Pakistan’s men’s hockey teams, with comments from former India captain PR Sreejesh and discussion of captain Harmanpreet Singh.
- What
- India and Pakistan will meet in the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026, while Sreejesh assessed the rivalry, India’s form and its defensive approach.
- Where
- Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen; the match will be broadcast on JioHotstar and Star Sports.
- When
- The match is scheduled for August 19 from 6:30 PM onwards; Sreejesh’s comments were made before the match.
- Why
- The match is an important test for India after its previous defeat to England, while the teams’ long-standing rivalry has attracted significant attention.
Sreejesh’s assessment
Rivalry’s continuing significance
Sporting difficulty
Sreejesh’s assessment
Sreejesh said matches against Pakistan are no longer as tough because India has improved in fitness, strength, game awareness and decision-making, while Pakistan’s current level has declined.
Rivalry’s continuing significance
The match remains a major contest because India and Pakistan are longstanding rivals, and the fixture has drawn exceptional public interest.
India’s approach
Sreejesh’s assessment
Sreejesh advised India to play its natural game, press high, avoid dropping too deep and improve its understanding of zonal marking.
Rivalry’s continuing significance
He also acknowledged that India’s newer formation often forces the team into defense and that it must stay compact against European teams.
Key facts
- Event
- FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026
- Match
- India vs Pakistan
- Date and time
- August 19, 6:30 PM onwards
- Venue
- Wagener Stadium, Amstelveen
- Venue capacity
- 10,000 seats
- India’s previous result
- Defeat against England
- Broadcast
- All 100 matches stream on JioHotstar; India’s matches are available on Star Sports with English and Hindi commentary
- Interviewee
- PR Sreejesh, former India captain
Quotes
PR Sreejesh
Former captain of India’s men’s hockey team
“Earlier, during the 35‑minute halves, we used to make mistakes due to fitness or poor decision‑making and let in goals. But since the four‑quarter system came in, and even before that, we made big improvements in our fitness, strength, game awareness, and decision‑making.”
wionews.com
“Matches against Pakistan are not as tough as they used to be. Conceding goals in the last quarter or final minutes used to be a problem for us, but that is no longer the case. Now, we are the ones scoring late to win matches.”
deccanchronicle.com
wionews.com
Sources
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