After missing out on direct qualification to the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Indian women’s hockey team made a strong comeback at the Asian Champions Trophy in Ranchi and won the title by beating Japan 4-0. The team’s effort has finally borne fruit as they scaled new heights in the latest FIH rankings.
Indian Women’s Hockey Team 6th in FIH Rankings
As per the latest FIH rankings, the Indian women’s hockey team is now ranked sixth in the world, their highest ranking ever. They now have 2368.83 points and surpassed England. Prior to the Asian Champions Trophy, the Indian side was ranked eighth in the world. They are still the best-ranked team in Asia, while China is the next at 10th spot, followed by Japan at 11th.
Interestingly, this is the second time India reached the world no. 6 spot; the last time was during the FIH Pro League 2022. The Netherlands continues to dominate the rankings at no. 1, followed by Australia, at a distant second.
Performance at Asian Champions Trophy
The Indian team did not lose even a single match at the tournament, and even beat China 2-1, in the group stages, whom they lost to in the Asian Games semis. Post that, the team was on a goal-scoring spree, which was in full display during the final as well. Sangita Kumari (17′), Neha (46′), Lalremsiami (57′), and Vandana Katariya (60′) scored a goal each for the country.
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