Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has openly criticized the Indian men’s hockey team’s performances after another disappointing FIH Pro League 2025–26 campaign, urging the sport to set higher global standards instead of celebrating regional success. The Olympic bronze medallist questioned whether India’s current progress matches the investment being made in the national team and coaching setup.
India finished eighth in the nine-team Pro League standings for the second consecutive season despite ending the campaign with a 3-2 shootout victory over England following a goalless draw in London. The team collected 19 points from 16 matches, winning only four games throughout the season.
Why Did PR Sreejesh Criticize India’s Pro League Campaign?
Sreejesh said his criticism came from genuine concern for Indian hockey rather than negativity.
The former goalkeeper stated that India’s back-to-back eighth-place finishes reflect the team’s current standing against the world’s strongest hockey nations and should not be ignored.
According to Sreejesh, the Pro League provides the clearest benchmark of India’s competitiveness at the international level.
India’s Pro League Results Raise Concerns
India concluded the FIH Pro League 2025–26 season with:
- 8th place in the standings
- 19 points from 16 matches
- 4 victories throughout the campaign
Only Pakistan finished below India in the nine-team competition, highlighting what Sreejesh described as a worrying trend after another difficult season.
Regional Titles Should Not Define Success
While acknowledging India’s victories in the Asian Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup, Sreejesh argued those tournaments no longer reflect the team’s true global standing.
He said India’s dominance in Asia is expected because the gap between India and the rest of the continent has widened considerably.
According to Sreejesh, success should instead be measured through performances at the FIH Pro League, Hockey World Cup and Olympic Games.
Asian Games Focus Not Enough, Says Sreejesh
Sreejesh also addressed the commonly cited explanation that India is prioritizing the Asian Games, which serves as an Olympic qualifier.
While acknowledging the importance of qualification, he insisted the Pro League standings provide a more accurate assessment of India’s ability to compete consistently against elite international teams.
In his view, preparing for regional tournaments cannot become an excuse for underperforming on the global stage.
Former Goalkeeper Questions Investment in Foreign Coach
One of Sreejesh’s strongest observations centered on India’s investment in its foreign coaching setup.
He questioned whether spending approximately €24,286 per month on a foreign chief coach should result only in regional dominance or whether the expectation should be consistent podium contention at the World Cup, Pro League, and Olympic Games.
His comments sparked fresh debate about whether India’s current performances justify the resources being invested in the national program.
Calling for Greater Accountability
Sreejesh stressed that supporting the national team also means asking difficult questions when performances fail to meet expectations.
He argued that lowering standards because of success in Asian competitions risks slowing India’s progress against the world’s top hockey nations.
According to the former goalkeeper, genuine supporters should demand higher levels of consistency rather than accepting average results on the international stage.
India Looks Ahead After Another Difficult Pro League Season
Despite the disappointing Pro League campaign, India will now turn its attention to upcoming major international competitions, including the Asian Games, FIH Hockey World Cup, and future Olympic qualification.
Sreejesh believes those events offer an opportunity for India to prove it can once again compete regularly with the world’s leading hockey nations rather than relying solely on regional success.
Key Takeaways
- PR Sreejesh criticized India’s back-to-back eighth-place finishes in the FIH Pro League.
- India finished with 19 points from 16 matches, winning only four games.
- Sreejesh said Asian tournament victories should not define India’s global progress.
- He questioned whether investment in a foreign chief coach is delivering expected results.
- The former goalkeeper urged Indian hockey to focus on competing consistently with the world’s best teams.
