India men's national field hockey team

India men's national field hockey team represents India in international field hockey competitions, and is governed by Hockey India. The team was formerly under the control of Indian Hockey Federation. India was the first non-European team to be a part of the International Hockey Federation. India's hockey team is the most successful team ever in the Olympics, having won a total of eight gold medals – in 1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1964 and 1980.

Nickname(s)Men in Blue
Association
ConfederationAHF (Asia)
Head CoachCraig Fulton
Assistant coach(es)Rhett Halkett
CaptainHarmanpreet Singh
Most capsDilip Tirkey (412)
Top scorerDhyan Chand (570)
Home
Away
FIH ranking
Current 4 1 (12 March 2024)
Highest3 (July 2021, September 2023)
Lowest12 (2007)
First international
New Zealand  2–5  India
(Christchurch, New Zealand; 26 June 1926)
Biggest win
India  26–0  Hong Kong
(Jakarta, Indonesia; 22 August 2018)
Biggest defeat
Australia  8–0  India
(New Delhi, India; 14 October 2010)
Olympic Games
Appearances21 (first in 1928)
Best result Champions (1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1980)
World Cup
Appearances15 (first in 1971)
Best result Champions (1975)
Asian Games
Appearances18 (first in 1958)
Best result Champions (1966, 1998, 2014, 2022)
Asia Cup
Appearances11 (first in 1982)
Best result Champions (2003, 2007, 2017)

In 1928, the team won its first Olympic gold medal and until 1960, the Indian men's team remained unbeaten in the Olympics, winning six gold medals in a row. The team had a 30–0 winning streak during this time, from their first game in 1928 until the 1960 gold medal final which they lost. India also won the World Cup in 1975. India also has the best overall performance in Olympic history with 83 victories out of the 134 matches played. They have also scored more goals in the Olympics than any other team. They are also the only team ever to win the Olympics without conceding a single goal, having done so in 1928 and 1956.

The men in blues are also one of the most successful teams in Asia. They have won the Asian Games four times – in 1966, 1998, 2014 and 2022. India came out on top at the Asia Cup in 2003, 2007 and in 2017. India has won 43 out of 56 matches in the Asia Cup and holds the records for most wins and best winning percentage in the competition. They are also the most successful team in the Asian Champions Trophy, winning the competition a record four times – in 2011, 2016, 2018 and in 2023. In total, India has won 29 official international titles.

India is known to have an intense rivalry with Pakistan, with whom they have played in the finals of major tournaments like Olympics, World Cup, Asian Games and Asia Cup. India also has a unique record of beating Pakistan in the finals of all these tournaments.

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