India’s men’s hockey team made a significant leap in the FIH rankings, moving up two spots following the Paris Olympics, as announced on Monday, August 12. Starting their Olympic journey at No. 7, the Indian team climbed to the fifth position after securing a bronze medal in Paris 2024. This marks their second consecutive podium finish, achieved by defeating Spain in the bronze medal match.
Previously ranked seventh after an underwhelming FIH Pro League campaign, India demonstrated remarkable form during the Paris Olympics. With five wins and only two losses, their strong performance earned them 2848.67 points, placing them ahead of Australia in the rankings. The Netherlands, the gold medalists in Paris, continue to lead the rankings with 3168.01 points.
Germany, the silver medalists, hold the second spot with 3035.28 points, followed by England in third with 2973.31 points. Tokyo 2020 gold medalists Belgium are now in fourth place.
In the women’s rankings, the Indian team currently sits at 9th, having missed the opportunity to compete in Paris. The Netherlands dominate the women’s rankings after their gold medal victory in Paris.
India’s Journey at the Paris Olympics 2024
India’s campaign at the Paris Olympics began with echoes of their Tokyo success, as they secured a thrilling 3-2 win against New Zealand. This was followed by a gritty draw with Argentina and a solid 2-0 victory over Ireland. Despite these strong results, there was a sense that the team had more to give, especially as they prepared to face Belgium.
The match against Belgium saw India start strong with an impressive first-half performance, but they ultimately faltered in the second half, suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat. Undeterred, they set their sights on Australia, a team that had historically been a challenging opponent for India in the Olympics.
In a determined display, India broke their Olympic jinx against Australia with a 3-2 victory, earning a place in the quarterfinals against Great Britain. In a tense match, India emerged victorious in a penalty shootout, advancing to the semifinals.
Up against world champions Germany, India dominated much of the game but were ultimately undone by moments of brilliance from the Germans. However, they bounced back in the bronze medal match, defeating Spain to secure their place on the podium.