Great chance for Indian hockey team to finish on podium at next year's World Cup: Vasudevan Baskaran

Baskaran stressed the need to get off to a positive start against Spain in the World Cup jointly hosted in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela from January 13 to 29.

India need to take confidence from their Tokyo Olympic campaign and forget the loss in the Commonwealth Games final to claim a podium finish at next year's Men's Hockey World Cup, feels former captain and coach Vasudevan Baskaran. "I believe they (India) can definitely finish on the podium in Odisha this time.

They should move on from the CWG final loss to Australia and carry on with the confidence they gained from the Tokyo Olympic Games," said Baskaran, who was the captain. India's 1980 Olympic gold medal winning team. "The team is in good hands with Graham Reid and the support staff. I believe they are guaranteed a medal." Baskaran stressed the need to get off to a positive start against Spain in the World Cup jointly hosted in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela from January 13 to 29.

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Great chance for Indian hockey team to finish on podium at next year's World Cup: Vasudevan Baskaran

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"If they get over the first hurdle against Spain in a big way, there's no stopping them from going to the medal match." Eight-time Olympic champions India have won just three medals (bronze in the inaugural edition, silver in 1973 and gold in 1975) at the World Cup since the event's inception in 1971.

A member of India's silver medal winning team in the 1973 World Cup, Baskaran also recounted his best moments from the showpiece and the incredible support received from the Dutch crowd throughout their campaign in that edition.

"The tempo was high and interestingly enough, the Dutch crowd turned up in huge numbers to support us," he told Hockey India's Flashback Series - World Cup Special.

Baskaran said the semi-final victory over arch-rivals Pakistan was India's most memorable win since the 1973 edition of the tournament

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"Emotions were high. The India-Pakistan war of 1971 was fresh in everyone's mind. Harcharan Singh and Harmik Singh hailed from Pathankot and saw the effects of that war very closely, so naturally we had the urge to win against them," the 72-year-old said.

"It was an even game, we had the best forward line and they had incredible defenders. Surjit Singh played his heart out in that game as there were some exciting moments against Pakistan's forward line."

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FAQ

Who is the captain of the Indian hockey team in 2022?

In short. By India Today Web Desk: Hockey India on Tuesday named Harmanpreet Singh as the captain of the 22-member Indian men's hockey team for the upcoming double-header matches against Spain and New Zealand in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2022-2023 season opener. To be held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Who is India's number one hockey player?

Dhyan Chand is undoubtedly the greatest Indian hockey player of all time and one of the best to ever play the game. Known as 'The Wizard', he has numerous records to his name. Known for his incredible ball control and goal-scoring prowess, Chand led India to three Olympic victories in 1928, 1932 and 1936.

Who is the captain of Indian men's hockey team in 2022 Olympics?

The IOA announced India's men's hockey captain Manpreet Singh as the flag bearer for the 2022 Commonwealth Games along with double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu.

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