Former Hockey World Cup winner Ashok Kumar believes India is moving in the right direction and could soon bring the trophy back. The 1975 hero has expressed confidence that the national side is capable of reaching the podium and building toward another World Cup triumph.
His assessment reflects growing optimism around Indian hockey, with the team seen as competitive enough to challenge the leading nations. Rather than treating a medal finish as a distant target, Ashok Kumar suggested India is already on a path that can lead to major success in the coming years.
A key part of his view is the coaching debate. Ashok Kumar has questioned whether India really needs foreign coaches, indicating that faith in domestic understanding and existing hockey knowledge should not be overlooked when shaping the team’s future.
The comments add to the wider conversation about how India can turn progress into the biggest title in the sport. For Ashok Kumar, the signs are encouraging: a podium finish looks realistic, and a return to the top of the Hockey World Cup may not be far away.
