Chennai, November 27, 2025 – As the FIH Junior Men's World Cup approaches, India's chief coach, PR Sreejesh, has emphasized the importance of his team playing to their strengths as they prepare for their opening match. With the tournament set to be held on home soil, the former goalkeeper is determined to guide the young squad to victory, urging them to showcase their unique style of hockey.
Sreejesh, a two-time Olympic medalist who retired after the Paris 2024 Games, transitioned into coaching with the ambition of shaping the next generation of Indian hockey players. He has been working with the U-21 team for over a year, leading them to success in the 2024 Junior Asia Cup and a silver medal at the 2025 Sultan of Johor Cup. The Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu is seen as his biggest test as a coach.
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Sreejesh stressed the need for his players to avoid complacency and to execute their plans with discipline. He pointed out that the expanded format of the tournament, featuring 24 teams, means that there will be many unfamiliar opponents with the potential to cause upsets. He noted the maturity and high level of competition experience of European and Australian teams and emphasized that the Indian team needs to match their intensity.
"We need to play our own game," Sreejesh stated ahead of the opener. He wants the team to leverage their skill, speed, and unique playing style, blending all these elements while maintaining discipline and executing their strategies effectively.
Sreejesh has been preparing the team for the challenges of the World Cup through various strategies. The team participated in a four-nation tournament in Germany to provide international exposure to a larger pool of players. The coach also arranged preparatory matches against the Indian Navy and Japan in Rajgir during the Asia Cup, giving the youngsters valuable experience playing against senior players.
Sreejesh has also been mentoring the team on how to handle pressure, drawing from his own experiences of triumphs and setbacks during his career. He wants the players to see the Junior World Cup as a crucial stepping stone in their careers, with their long-term goals set on the 2028 Los Angeles and 2032 Brisbane Olympics. He believes that this tournament will provide them with invaluable experience in managing pressure and overcoming challenges.
India is placed in Pool B alongside Chile, Oman, and Switzerland. The team is expected to advance to the quarterfinals, where the real competition will begin. Sreejesh views the initial matches as crucial preparation for the tougher games ahead.
With Sreejesh's guidance, the Indian team aims to reclaim the title on home soil after nine years.
