As the final stages of the current FIH Hockey Pro League season approach (starting from 13 June), let us hear from the participating teams. Today, Craig Fulton, head coach of the Indian men’s side, shares his thoughts.

What is your assessment of the season so far and key areas of focus?

“We have had some good moments this season and shown real quality in patches, but we also know there have been moments where we have not been consistent enough for a full 60 minutes. That is the honest assessment. The Pro League is a competition that tests you against the best nations in the world, and every result—good or bad—teaches you something. Heading into the final stretch in June, our focus is on tightening our defensive structure, being more clinical in front of goal, and executing our game plan with greater composure under pressure. We know what we are capable of and the expectation now is to deliver it more consistently.”

What are the ambitions for the remaining matches and what is the importance of finishing strongly?

“The Pro League matches in Holland and England come at the perfect time for us. Playing top nations in demanding away conditions is exactly the World Cup preparation we need. We want to finish the Pro League strongly, but the bigger prize right now is arriving at the World Cup with our combinations settled, our systems tested, and our squad ready. These matches will give us that clarity.”

With qualification pathways for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics in mind, how does the Pro League fit into your broader long-term plans for the team?

“We have to be honest—our results in the first stage of the Pro League were disappointing and we know that but the context matters—we were deliberately using those matches to experiment with combinations and give players opportunities as part of our World Cup squad selection process. Now that phase is done. The June matches in Holland and England are about performance and results. The Pro League is an important part of our LA 2028 planning but right now our complete focus is the World Cup and Asian Games. If we perform well there, the confidence and momentum that follows will drive everything heading towards Olympic qualification.”

How have you seen the squad evolve in terms of consistency, combinations, and tactical identity over the course of this season?

“The Hero HIL and the first Pro League block have given us real clarity on where we stand. We have seen genuine growth in certain combinations and some younger players have stepped up and staked a claim. But we also know our consistency has not been good enough—we cannot afford to turn performances on and off at World Cup level. The tactical identity is becoming clearer and the squad understands what we demand. The June matches are now about turning that understanding into consistent execution. That is the next step for this group.”

Given the packed international calendar, how are you balancing performance with squad rotation and player workload management at this stage?

“With the World Cup on the horizon, managing our players smartly is critical. The Hero HIL and early Pro League matches allowed us to rotate and give game time to a wider pool, but that phase is behind us now. Heading into June the squad is tightening up and the focus shifts fully to performance. Our medical and support staff have been excellent in monitoring workloads and keeping players fresh. We need to arrive at the World Cup in the best possible shape individually and collectively and every decision we make between now and then is driven by that goal.”