India men's national under-21 field hockey team

India U21
AssociationHockey India
ConfederationAsian Hockey Federation
Head CoachFred Soyez
CaptainAnmol Ekka
FIH ranking
Current4[1]
First international
 Malaysia 2–1  India
(Versailles, 23 August 1979)
Last international
 India 4–2  Argentina
(Chennai, 10 December 2025)
Biggest win
 India 32–0  Macau
(Karachi, December 1988)[2]
Junior World Cup
Appearances12 (first in 1979)
Best result1st place, gold medalist(s) Champions
(2001, 2016)
Junior Asia Cup
Appearances10 (first in 1988)
Best result1st place, gold medalist(s) Champions
(2004, 2008, 2015, 2023, 2024)
Medal record
Junior World Cup
Gold medal – first place2001 Hobart
Gold medal – first place2016 Lucknow
Silver medal – second place1997 Milton Keynes
Bronze medal – third place2025 Tamil Nadu
Junior Asia Cup
Gold medal – first place2004 Karachi
Gold medal – first place2008 Hyderabad
Gold medal – first place2015 Kuantan
Gold medal – first place2023 Salalah
Gold medal – first place2024 Muscat
Silver medal – second place1996 Singapore
Silver medal – second place2000 Kuala Lumpur
Bronze medal – third place1988 Karachi
Bronze medal – third place2012 Malacca
Sultan of Johor Cup
Gold medal – first place2013 Johor
Gold medal – first place2014 Johor
Gold medal – first place2022 Johor
Silver medal – second place2012 Johor
Silver medal – second place2015 Johor
Silver medal – second place2018 Johor
Silver medal – second place2019 Johor
Silver medal – second place2025 Johor
Bronze medal – third place2017 Johor
Bronze medal – third place2023 Johor
Bronze medal – third place2024 Johor

The India men's national under-21 field hockey team represents India in men's under-21 field hockey competitions.[3] It is governed by Hockey India, the governing body for field hockey in India.[4] They are one of the most successful junior field hockey team in the world having won the World Cup twice and Asia Cup five times.[5][6][7][8] The team is currently ranked 4th in the world, and 1st in Asia.[9]

History

India junior team's first recorded international tournament is the inaugural 1979 Junior World Cup, where they finished 5th.[10] They managed to finish 5th in the 1982 and 1985 World Cups consecutively. In the first ever Junior Asia Cup in 1988, they settled with a third place bronze and missed the 1989 Junior World Cup spot as only finalists could qualify for the World Cup.[11] After the fourth place finish in 1992 Junior Asia Cup, they also failed to qualify for the 1993 Junior World Cup.

India won silver in the 1996 Junior Asia Cup and made a comeback to the World Cup, qualifying to the 1997 Junior World Cup. India started the 1997 World Cup with a narrow loss against Spain, but won against Netherlands, Cuba and Belgium. A draw with Australia took them to the semi-final, where they defeated Germany by 4–3 in the extra time. In their first World Cup final, against Australia, they lost by a goal margin as 2–3 and added a World Cup silver to their cabinet.[12]

In the 2000 Junior Asia Cup, India won silver and made it to the 2001 Junior World Cup. They started the tournament by winning all the group stage clashes and entered the medal round. India drew with Argentina and lost 1–2 to Australia. In a must win game against Netherlands, India overcame them in a 7 goal thriller and qualified to the final four. In the semi-final against the then 4 time champions, Germany, India won by 3–2, despite conceding two late goals after taking a 3–0 lead. In their second World Cup final, against Argentina, India made history by winning their first ever Junior World Cup with a big 6–1 victory.[13] They held the World champions and the Asian champions titles at the same time, when they won their first Junior Asia Cup in 2004, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan.[14] India started their World title defence in 2005, with topping the group stage and medal round, beating Netherlands, Spain and England. However, they lost to Australia by 2–3 in semi final and missed the bronze against Spain in penalties.[15]

They retained the Asia title in 2008, with a sudden death win over Korea in the final, as Diwakar Ram hit a golden goal through penalty corner.[16] India could not get through the group stage in the 2009 Junior World Cup, but finished as the best in the non-medal round. India participated in the inaugural 2011 Sultan of Johor Cup and finished 4th.[17] At the 2012 Junior Asia Cup, India clinched the bronze, with Akashdeep Singh scoring a golden goal against Korea.[18] India hosted the Junior World Cup for the first time in 2013. The hosts did not qualify to the medal round as they lost to the Dutch and drew Korea, finishing 10th. They became the consecutive title winners of 2013 and 2014 Sultan of Johor Cup. India won their third Asia title in 2015 Junior Asia Cup, thrashing Pakistan 6–2 in the final.[19]

India against New Zealand during the 2009 Men's Hockey Junior World Cup.

India hosted the 2016 Junior World Cup, with hosts entered the quarter finals, beating England and South Africa in the group stage. In the quarter final clash against Spain, they trailed 0–1 for the most part of the game until Simranjeet Singh and Harmanpreet Singh gave 2–1 win and a place in the final four.[20] India overcame Australia in the semi final through penalties, as goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya denied two opponents' goals[21] and the hosts faced Belgium in the final. India won the Junior World Cup for the second time after 16 years, as Gurjant Singh and Simranjeet Singh helped in a 2–1 victory.[22]

They missed back to back bronze medals in the 2021 and 2023 Junior World Cups, although qualifying up to the semi-finals in both. India are the defending Junior Asian champions, having won the last 2023 and 2024 Junior Asia Cups.

India hosted the 2025 Men's FIH Hockey Junior World Cup for the third time. India finished high in the group and entered the knockout stage. The quarter final clash against Belgium went to penalties after 2–2 draw in the regulation time. Indian goal keeper Prince Deep Singh blocked Belgium's last 2 shots as India won 4–3.[23] Germany denied India's way to the final and the hosts met Argentina for the bronze medal. The South Americans were leading 2–0 at the end of the third quarter before Indians found the net four times, in the final 11 minutes to win it 4–2.[24]

Tournament record

Junior World Cup

Junior World Cup[25]
YearHostRoundPositionPldWDLGFGA
1979 France Versailles, France Group stage 5th 7 5 0 2 25 11
1982 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Group stage 5th 7 5 1 1 32 6
1985 Canada Vancouver, Canada Group stage 5th 8 5 1 2 23 11
1989 Malaysia Ipoh, Malaysia Did not qualify
1993 Spain Terrassa, Spain
1997 England Milton Keynes, England Final 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 4 1 2 25 15
2001 Australia Hobart, Australia Final 1st place, gold medalist(s) 8 6 1 1 31 11
2005 Netherlands Rotterdam, Netherlands Semi-finals 4th 8 5 0 3 18 13
2009 Malaysia Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Singapore Singapore		 Group stage 9th 8 6 1 1 42 9
2013 India New Delhi, India Group stage 10th 5 2 1 2 13 11
2016 India Lucknow, India Final 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 6 0 0 17 8
2021 India Bhubaneswar, India Semi-finals 4th 6 3 0 3 29 15
2023 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Semi-finals 4th 6 3 0 3 21 17
2025 India Chennai and Madurai, India Semi-finals 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 6 5 0 1 36 9
Total2 Titles8255621312136

Junior Asia Cup

Junior Asia Cup
YearHostRoundPositionPldWDLGFGA
1988[a] Pakistan Karachi, Pakistan – 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 3 2 0 1 34 3
1992 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Semi-finals 4th 6 4 0 2 23 6
1996 Singapore Singapore 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Final 6 4 0 2 21 8
2000 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Final 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 6 0 1 64 9
2004 Pakistan Karachi, Pakistan Final 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 6 0 0 47 5
2008 India Hyderabad, India Final 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 5 0 0 17 4
2012 Malaysia Malacca, Malaysia Semi-finals 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 5 3 1 1 18 6
2015 Malaysia Kuantan, Malaysia Final 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 6 0 0 32 9
2021 Bangladesh Dhaka, Bangladesh Cancelled
2023 Oman Salalah, Oman Final 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 5 1 0 50 4
2024 Oman Muscat, Oman Final 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 6 0 0 46 7
2026 China Moqi, China TBD
Total5 Titles56472735261

Other tournaments

Sultan of Johor Cup
YearHostPositionPldWDLGFGA
2011 Malaysia Johor Bahru, Malaysia 4th 6 2 0 4 17 20
2012 Malaysia Johor Bahru, Malaysia 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 3 2 1 13 8
2013 Malaysia Johor Bahru, Malaysia 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 5 1 0 21 7
2014 Malaysia Johor Bahru, Malaysia 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 5 0 1 20 8
2015 Malaysia Johor Bahru, Malaysia 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 4 0 2 16 10
2017 Malaysia Johor Bahru, Malaysia 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 6 4 0 2 35 9
2018 Malaysia Johor Bahru, Malaysia 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 4 0 2 19 12
2019 Malaysia Johor Bahru, Malaysia 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 3 1 2 24 14
2022 Malaysia Johor Bahru, Malaysia 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 3 2 1 25 19
2023 Malaysia Johor Bahru, Malaysia 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 5 3 1 1 18 15
2024 Malaysia Johor Bahru, Malaysia 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 6 4 1 1 19 17
2025 Malaysia Johor Bahru, Malaysia 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 3 1 2 15 14
Total3 Titles7143919242153

Honours

Major tournaments

Other tournaments

Current squad

The following Indian junior men's team named for the 2026 Junior Asia Cup, that will be held at Moqi, China from 30 August to 13 September 2026[31]

Head coach: France Fred Soyez

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
88 GK Kunal Tewatia (2008-08-03) 3 August 2008
18 GK Vivek Lakra (2007-12-16) 16 December 2007
35 DF Anmol Ekka (Captain) (2006-01-30) 30 January 2006
7 DF Chirag (2008-04-19) 19 April 2008
DF Ashu Maurya
26 DF Ravinder (2006-09-01) 1 September 2006
15 DF Rohit Kullu (2007-05-15) 15 May 2007
5 DF Sanjit Tirkey (2006-02-27) 27 February 2006
DF Sukhvinder
60 MF Adrohit Ekka (2006-10-31) 31 October 2006
4 MF Harpal (2007-08-08) 8 August 2007
31 MF Jeetpal (2006-07-31) 31 July 2006
MF Manmeet Singh Rai
16 MF Ritik Lakra (2008-04-15) 15 April 2008
25 FW Ajeet Yadav (2008-10-31) 31 October 2008
30 FW Arjun Hargude (2007-04-30) 30 April 2007
14 FW Aryan Xess (2006-05-07) 7 May 2006
9 FW Gursewak Singh (2006-12-14) 14 December 2006
27 FW Lovenoor Singh (2006-03-21) 21 March 2006
11 FW Prabhdeep Singh (2006-11-30) 30 November 2006

Coaching staff

Position Name
Head coach France Fred Soyez
Coach India Janardhana Chowdlu Babu
Strength and Conditioning Coach India Yashwin Shetty
Video Analyst India Ashok Kumar Chinnasamy
Head Physiotherapist India Sarath Lal PV
Masseuse India Ugin Antony

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2026

All times are local (UTC+5:30).

7 July 2026 Practice Match 1 Austria  4–2  India Wavre, Belgium
21:30 Report Stadium: Belfius Hockey Arena
8 July 2026 Practice Match 2 Austria  1–4  India Wavre, Belgium
14:30 Report Stadium: Belfius Hockey Arena
10 July 2026 Practice Match 3 Belgium  3–2  India Wavre, Belgium
18:30 Report Stadium: Belfius Hockey Arena
13 July 2026 Practice Match 4 Germany  1–0  India Wavre, Belgium
15:30 Report Stadium: Belfius Hockey Arena
14 July 2026 Practice Match 5 Belgium  4–2  India Wavre, Belgium
14:30 Report Stadium: Belfius Hockey Arena
17 July 2026 Practice Match 6 Netherlands  3–4  India Antwerp, Belgium
18:30 Report Stadium: Wilrijkse Plein Antwerp
7 August 2026 Practice Match 1 India  3–2  Malaysia Bengaluru, India
16:00 A. Ekka field hockey ball ?', ?', ?' Report Syazwan field hockey ball ?'
field hockey ball ?'		 Stadium: SAI Netaji Subhas Southern Centre
8 August 2026 Practice Match 2 India  4–3  Malaysia Bengaluru, India
18:00 A. Ekka field hockey ball ?', ?'
Jeetpal field hockey ball ?'
Prabhdeep field hockey ball ?'		 Report Stadium: SAI Netaji Subhas Southern Centre
10 August 2026 Practice Match 3 India  5–3  Malaysia Bengaluru, India
10:00 Arun field hockey ball ?'
Nitin field hockey ball ?'
Arjun field hockey ball ?'
R. Ekka field hockey ball ?'
Manimaran field hockey ball ?'		 Report Stadium: SAI Netaji Subhas Southern Centre
12 August 2026 Practice Match 4 India  5–1  Malaysia Bengaluru, India
14:00 Prabhdeep field hockey ball ?', ?'
Ashu field hockey ball ?', ?'
Arjun field hockey ball ?'		 Report Stadium: SAI Netaji Subhas Southern Centre
13 August 2026 Practice Match 5 India  4–3  Malaysia Bengaluru, India
14:00 Arjun field hockey ball ?'
Prabhdeep field hockey ball ?'
Ashu field hockey ball ?'
Harpal field hockey ball ?'		 Report Stadium: SAI Netaji Subhas Southern Centre
5 September 2026 2026 Junior Asia Cup Pool A India  v  Indonesia Hulunbuir, China
06:30 Stadium: Moqi Training Base
6 September 2026 2026 Junior Asia Cup Pool A Japan  v  India Hulunbuir, China
08:30 Stadium: Moqi Training Base
8 September 2026 2026 Junior Asia Cup Pool A South Korea  v  India Hulunbuir, China
06:30 Stadium: Moqi Training Base
9 September 2026 2026 Junior Asia Cup Pool A India  v  Chinese Taipei Hulunbuir, China
06:30 Stadium: Moqi Training Base

Head-to-head record

Won more matches than lost
All matches drawn
Won equal matches to lost
Lost more matches than won

Overall record

Record last updated as of the following match:

India vs  Argentina at Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, Chennai in the 2025 Junior World Cup, 10 December 2025

Opponent GP W D L Win % Last meeting
 Argentina 8 6 2 0 75% 2025
 Australia 19 5 4 10 26.32% 2025
 Bangladesh 5 4 0 1 80% 2004
 Belgium 7 5 1 1 71.43% 2025
 Canada 6 6 0 0 100% 2023
 Chile 3 3 0 0 100% 2025
 China 6 6 0 0 100% 2015
 Chinese Taipei 2 2 0 0 100% 2024
 Cuba 1 1 0 0 100% 1997
 Egypt 1 1 0 0 100% 2005
 England 6 6 0 0 100% 2023
 France 4 2 0 2 50% 2021
 Germany 15 6 1 8 40% 2025
 Great Britain 13 3 3 7 23.08% 2025
 Hong Kong 1 1 0 0 100% 1981
 Ireland 1 1 0 0 100% 1979
 Iran 1 1 0 0 100% 2000
 Japan 13 12 0 1 92.31% 2024
 Kenya 1 1 0 0 100% 1982
 Macau 1 1 0 0 100% 1988
 Malaysia 23 17 2 4 73.91% 2025
 Netherlands 11 6 0 5 54.55% 2023
 New Zealand 12 8 3 1 66.67% 2025
 Oman 3 3 0 0 100% 2025
 Pakistan 18 9 8 1 50% 2025
 Poland 4 4 0 0 100% 2021
 Scotland 1 1 0 0 100% 2001
 Singapore 5 5 0 0 100% 2009
 South Africa 2 1 0 1 50% 2022
 South Korea 19 11 1 7 57.89% 2024
 Spain 13 6 0 7 46.15% 2023
 Sri Lanka 2 2 0 0 100% 2012
  Switzerland 1 1 0 0 100% 2025
 Thailand 3 3 0 0 100% 2024
 Uzbekistan 1 1 0 0 100% 2000
 Zimbabwe 1 1 0 0 100% 1985

Sources:[32][33]

India Pakistan rivalry

India lead the head-to-head record against Pakistan, with 9 wins from 18 matches, compared with Pakistan's 1 wins and 8 draws.

The following table shows  India vs  Pakistan in major tournaments :

TournamentYearVenueWinning team, result
Junior World Cup 2013 India New Delhi Draw 1–1,  Pakistan won (p.s.o) 4–2
Junior World Cup Asian Qualifiers 1988 India New Delhi  Pakistan, 2–1
Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup 1996 Singapore Singapore Draw 2–2,  Pakistan won (p.s) 5–4
2004 Pakistan Karachi  India, 5–2
2008 India Hyderabad  India, 3–1
2012 Malaysia Malacca Draw 2–2
2015 Malaysia Kuantan  India, 6–2
2023 Oman Salalah Draw 1–1
 India, 2–1
2024 Oman Muscat  India, 5–3
Sultan of Johor Cup 2011 Malaysia Johor Bahru  India, 5–1
2012 Draw 0–0
2013  India, 4–0
2014  India, 6–0
2015  India, 5–1
2023 Draw 3–3
Draw 3–3,  India won (p.s.o) 6–5
2025 Draw 3–3

Notes

  1. ↑ Complete group-stage results are not available in published official records.

See also

Indian national hockey teams
Men's Women's
Senior Under-21 Under-18 Senior Hockey5s Under-18 hockey5s Senior Under-21 Under-18 Senior Hockey5s Under-18 hockey5s

References

  1. ↑ "FIH Junior Outdoor World Hockey Rankings". FIH. International Hockey Federation. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  2. ↑ Krastev, Todor. "Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup 1988". Todor66. Todor Krastev. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "India Men Jr". hockeyindia.org. Hockey India. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  4. ↑ "FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup: India beat Belgium to make semi-finals". Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  5. ↑ "FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup: Germany ends India's title defence". Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  6. ↑ "Dominant India oust Pakistan 2-1 to lift Men's Junior Asia Cup 2023".
  7. ↑ "Araijeet's four goals hand India 5th title in men's junior Asia Cup".
  8. ↑ "India beats Belgium to win after 15 years".
  9. ↑ "FIH Junior Outdoor World Hockey Rankings". International Hockey Federation. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
  10. ↑ Scroll Staff (23 November 2021). "Hockey Men's Junior World Cup: From India's Pool B to a power-packed Pool D, a group-wise preview". Scroll.in. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "Junior Hockey World Cup: Uttam Singh and team have a chance to script history". RevSportz. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  12. ↑ "We were well prepared: Baskaran relives 1997 splash". The Hindu. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  13. ↑ Ninan, Susan (7 December 2016). "'Winning 2001 junior hockey World Cup changed our lives'". ESPN. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  14. ↑ "India rout Pakistan, win Jr. Asia Cup hockey". Rediff.com. 29 April 2004. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  15. ↑ "8th Junior Men's Hockey World Cup". Rediff.com. 30 July 2005. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "India win Jr Asia Cup hockey". Rediff.com. 18 July 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  17. ↑ "Hosts Malaysia won Sultan of Johor Cup, India returns empty handed".
  18. ↑ "Indian men win bronze at junior Asia Cup hockey". The New Indian Express. 14 May 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  19. ↑ "India trounce Pakistan, lift Junior Asia Cup". Sportstar. The Hindu. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  20. ↑ Express Web Desk (15 December 2016). "India beat Spain 2–1 in Junior Hockey World Cup quarters: Match highlights, as it happened". The Indian Express. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  21. ↑ PTI (16 December 2016). "Junior Hockey World Cup: India beat Australia in shootout, face Belgium in final". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  22. ↑ Bhagavatula, Manoj (18 December 2016). "India beat Belgium 2-1 to win second Hockey Junior World Cup". ESPN. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  23. ↑ India Today Sports Desk (5 December 2025). "Prince Deep pulls a Sreejesh as India edge Belgium to reach Junior World Cup semis". India Today. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  24. ↑ "'The comeback against Argentina shows our belief and mental strength,' says Rohit after captaining India to bronze medal win at FIH Junior Hockey World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025". Hockey India. 9 December 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  25. ↑ "HOCKEY JUNIOR WORLD CUP". Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  26. ↑ "Team Profile". FIH Tournament Management System. International Hockey Federation. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  27. ↑ "Men's Junior Asia Cup Archive". Todor66. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  28. ↑ "India beat Belgium 2-1 to win hockey junior World Cup crown after 15 years".
  29. ↑ "Junior Asia Cup 2023: India outclass arch-rivals Pakistan to clinch record title". firstpost.com. Firstpost. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  30. ↑ "India retains Men's Junior Asia Cup title with a 5-3 triumph over Pakistan in the Final".
  31. ↑ "Junior Indian Men's Squad Announced for AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026". Hockey India. Hockey India. 7 August 2026. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
  32. ↑ "Head-to-Head". Data Hub. International Hockey Federation. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  33. ↑ "Field Hockey: Index". Todor66.com. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
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