India will rely on young players like Rosan Kujur to continue their recent good showing in the FIH Pro League.
| Photo Credit: R. RAGU
Selections questions and off-field issues have hogged the limelight the last few weeks but coach Craig Fulton and his team would be hoping to leave it all behind when the Indian men’s team begins its international calendar in its FIH Pro League opener at the Birsa Munda Stadium here on Wednesday.
With a crucial year ahead, the Indian men will have their task cut out when they take on Belgium. Before that, former Olympic champions Belgium and Argentina clash in the opening game on Tuesday with all teams in a rebuilding phase, hoping to find the best players for the World Cup in six months’ time.
The focus will clearly be on the trio of Amandeep Lakra, Rosan Kujur and Manmeet Singh, making the cut on the back of impressive outings in the Hockey India League and the Junior World Cup.
“We are focused on building depth but at the same time getting closer to performance. You can’t get both all the time. Are we playing the strongest group right now? We have to spread a little bit because we need to give other players opportunities,” Fulton admitted on Monday.
Belgium captain Arthur van Doren and Argentina coach Lucas Rey echoed Fulton. “Obviously, everything is built towards the World Cup for all teams at this stage. Everybody is trying to find the perfect balance between building their programme as well as performance,” van Doren said.
“We will try a few new players, see how they manage after the Under-21 World Cup and at the same time be ready to compete with them,” Rey added.
Tuesday’s match: Belgium vs Argentina (7.30 p.m.).
Published – February 09, 2026 07:21 pm IST
