Time for Pathak to emerge from the shadows of legend Sreejesh

BOTH INDIAN TEAMS LOSE

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN @Bhubaneswar

AFTER putting on his helmet and exchanging fist-bumps with a couple of the Indian players, Krishan Pathak began the slightly long, lonely walk to position himself under the sticks. The men's hockey team wears an assured look about itself these days; there's a sense of optimism about the team and there's an identity about the Men In Blue (coach Craig Fulton's famed 'defend to win').

It's the effect of at least medalling or outright winning each of their last three major events (back-to-back Asian Champions Trophy winners in 2023 and 2024 and bronze at the Paris Games last July-August).

One area of the field, though, that will face some scrutiny is the identity of the first-choice custodian heading into the World Cup year in 2026. It's a very natural process within a side when a stalwart retires after some 330 international caps, numerous international awards and a cupboard full of shiny medals.