India's Junior World Cup Hopes: PR Sreejesh's Tactical Test Awaits
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As a double Olympic bronze medalist and a Padma Bhushan awardee, PR Sreejesh is now at the helm of the India U-21 team, gearing up for the Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu from November 28 to December 10. With a year of experience under his belt, Sreejesh is confident about his team's chances, having guided them to the 2024 Junior Asia Cup gold and 2025 Sultan of Johor Cup silver. The expanded 24-team field, however, poses a challenge, with several low-ranked teams potentially causing upsets. Sreejesh emphasizes the need for his players to match the intensity of European teams and Australia, who have a high level of maturity due to their club-level matches. The India U-21 team, led by Rohit, is in a relatively easy Pool B, but Sreejesh stresses the importance of using these initial matches to prepare for the quarter-finals. He plans to adapt his team's strategy based on their opponents, using a mix of skill, speed, and discipline to outmaneuver them. With a string of international games under their belt, the team is well-prepared for the tournament. Sreejesh has taken his team to various exposure events in Europe and Asia, including the Hockey India League, and has been pleased with their performance. The Junior World Cup will be Sreejesh's true test as a coach, and he is eager to see his team touch fresh heights. With a combination of experience and tactical acumen, Sreejesh is confident that India can make a strong run in the tournament.
