Determined India ready for Jr hockey World Cup

An experienced campaigner and two-time Olympic bronze medallist PR Sreejesh as head coach. Many matches to prepare for the all-important tournament. On paper, India seem ready to face the best U-21 teams in the world but it isn't going to be a cakewalk for the hosts who are gunning for their third Junior World Cup title.

- Sandip Sikdar

India colts finished with a silver medal finish at the Sultan of Johor Cup last month - their last competition before the Junior World Cup that starts this Friday - but by no means was it a complete show by the Rohit-led side.

India registered competitive victories against Great Britain (3-2), New Zealand (4-2) and Malaysia (2-1) but they failed to beat Pakistan (3-3), a team which gets very little international exposure. To make it worse, India lost against Australia, 2-4 in round robin and 1-2 in the final.

What it shows is that though India may be a competitive team but to beat the likes of Australia, seven-time champions Germany, two-time winners Argentina, and powerhouses Netherlands and Belgium is going to take some effort if they wish to lift the trophy in Chennai on December 10.