India’s young hockey brigade is all set to light up Chennai and Madurai as the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup 2025 kicks off on November 28. Led by skipper Rohit and guided by hockey legend P.R. Sreejesh, the squad aims to reclaim the title last won on home soil in 2016. Odisha shines brightly in the mix, with Anmol Ekka, Rosan Kujur, Adrohit Ekka, and Rohit Kullu ready to make their mark on the world stage, bringing experience, grit, and dreams of glory to the forefront.
The stage is set in Chennai and Madurai as India prepares to host the FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 starting November 28. With a blend of youthful energy and seasoned guidance, the Indian Junior Men’s team aims to reclaim the crown last won on home soil in 2016.
Led by skipper Rohit and mentored by the legendary P.R. Sreejesh, the squad carries the weight of a billion hopes into the two-week tournament. Fresh from a silver medal at the Sultan of Johor Cup, the India colts enter the World Cup with momentum and the advantage of a passionate home crowd. While the injury to talismanic forward Araijeet Singh Hundal is a setback, it offers other players a chance to rise beyond dependence on star performers.
Four Players from Odisha in Focus
Odisha has a strong presence in the squad, with Anmol Ekka, Rohit Kullu, Adrohit Ekka, and Rosan Kujur earning their spots.
Anmol Ekka, hailing from Kesramal village in Sundergarh district, brings experience and tactical acumen to the team. He has been training intensively and is also sharpening his drag-flick skills under the guidance of India captain Harmanpreet Singh.
Rosan Kujur, who once served as a ball boy during the 2018 senior men’s World Cup in Bhubaneswar, will fulfill his dream by playing on home soil. The opener against Chile in Chennai will be a special moment for him.
Adrohit Ekka has been a steady presence in the midfield, complementing the squad’s dynamics.
Rohit Kullu is among the standby players, ready to step in and contribute when called upon.
The team has undergone rigorous preparation, including a European tour across Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, participation in the Four Nations Tournament in Berlin, and intensive training at the SAI Bengaluru camp, which featured practice matches against the senior team.
A key area of focus remains penalty corner conversions. In the Sultan of Johor Cup, India managed only 8 goals from 53 attempts. Sreejesh confirmed that the team has been working extensively on both executing and defending penalty corners. “We have good drag flickers, who are flicking 200-300 a day. They have gained experience from the tournament and are now better equipped,” he said.
Rohit, who was India’s top scorer in the previous edition with three goals, will play a crucial role in penalty corners in Hundal’s absence. “We are very excited to play in front of our people. This is a big tournament, and we understand its importance. We have trained hard for the last two years, and now it is all about executing that during matches,” he said.
Sreejesh emphasized the long-term vision behind this campaign. “Winning is important, but this tournament also prepares players for the road ahead — Los Angeles 2028 or Brisbane 2032. They gain experience playing in front of huge crowds and learn to execute basic skills under pressure,” he explained.
The Indian squad features a balanced mix of goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards, all part of Hockey India League teams, many of whom have experienced packed stadiums. Yet, representing the country in a World Cup on home soil presents an entirely different challenge.
As the young Indian brigade steps onto the field in Tamil Nadu, fans across the country will watch closely, hoping the team, led by the four talented Odia players, can lift the coveted trophy and bring hockey glory back home.
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