The Indian men's hockey team faced a tough weekend in Antwerp, Belgium, concluding their FIH Pro League encounters against Australia with two consecutive defeats. The results have further impacted India's standing in the league, increasing the pressure as the season approaches its final stages.

In the first match, held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, India showcased early promise, establishing a 2-0 lead, courtesy of an Abhishek brace. However, Australia rallied in the latter stages of the game, with goals from Nathan Ephraums, Joel Rintala, and Tom Craig, sealing a 3-2 victory. This marked India's fifth successive loss in the European leg of the Pro League, highlighting a concerning trend in closing out close matches. The absence of captain Harmanpreet Singh due to injury further compounded India's challenges.

The second match on Sunday, June 15, 2025, saw India suffer another narrow 3-2 defeat. Sanjay provided an early lead, but Australia quickly responded with goals from Tim Brand and Blake Govers, followed by another from Cooper Burns before halftime. While Dilpreet Singh managed to reduce the deficit in the third quarter, India was unable to find an equaliser. This defeat marked India's sixth consecutive loss in their European campaign.

These results leave India in a precarious position in the FIH Pro League standings, sitting just above the relegation zone. The team's inability to maintain leads and close out matches has been a recurring issue throughout the European leg. The defeats against Australia have unofficially ended their chances of finishing in the top three and qualifying for the FIH World Cup 2026 via the Pro League.

India will now have a week to regroup and address their shortcomings before facing a strong Belgian side in their final two matches of the season. The team will need to focus on improving their defensive resilience and maintaining composure in crucial moments to finish the season on a positive note.