The Harmanpreet Singh-led team scored eight wins, but could have done better on many occasions. They los matches after being close to getting a draw and sometimes gave up wins, trying to play too defensively. Here’s a look at their campaign.
The team finished third in the previous edition of the Pro League, getting 30 points from 16 games. They beat New Zealand twice (4-3 and 7-4) and held a 1-1 record with Spain, winning the second game in a shoot-out 3-1 (2-2 in regulation time), after having lost the first 2-3. Winning three out of four games put them straight on the top of the points table.
India failed to win any medal at the World Cup at home. This was the second time in a row that India bowled out even before the semis. However, this did not dent the team’s form in the Pro League where they beat World Cup winners Germany in both legs 3-2 and 6-3 respectively. (Which legs?)
Losses in Europe prove costly
In its first four games held in London, India had one clear victory, two losses and one win through shoot-out (two points). In their first match outside, India lost to World Cup silver medalists Belgium 1-2. After holding the Red Lions 1-1 for the first 58 minutes, India faltered in the last two minutes and lost an opportunity to earn at least one point.
India were then thumped by hosts Great Britain 4-2. Two consecutive losses sent a signal to the newly appointed coach Craig Fulton that he needed to buckle up. He did that, by beating his former team Belgium 5-1 and then getting past Great Britain in a shootout 4-2 after the encounter ended 4-4 in regulation time.
Having had just one clear win and suffered two losses in London, India had to win the remaining four games to stay ahead of the rest of the teams on the points table.
In Eindhoven, the Netherlands, India played two matches each against Argentina and the hosts. They were beaten comprehensively in the first match, 1-4 by the men in Orange.
However, India bounced back and beat the South Americans 3-0. India were up against the Dutch once again in their penultimate league game. The World Cup bronze medal winners once again proved to be too good to handle as they beat India 3-2. With a victory (2-1) in the last game against Argentina, the Indians have kept their hopes alive of winning the league.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
