Hockey Rankings: India Men Climb To Third Spot Following Asian Champions Trophy Triumph

The Indian men were undefeated in the Asian Champions Trophy last month, and with 2771 points now, are back into the top three.

Outlook Sports Desk

Updated on: 18 September 2023 2:25 pm

File image of India captain Harmanpreet Singh (centre) and teammates in action.

The Indian men's hockey team has climbed one spot to now be ranked third in the latest world rankings issued by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Monday. More than a year since dropping out in May 2022, India, with 2771 points, are back into the top three. (More Hockey News)

The elevation happened thanks to their undefeated campaign in the Asian Champions Trophy held in Chennai last month. The side won six and drew one of its seven matches in the tournament.

England, with 2745 points, are out of top three after they fell just short of winning the Euro Hockey title with a 1-2 loss to the Netherlands in the final.

Despite their strong run to the finals, an earlier loss in the tournament against Belgium and the loss in the final, coupled with India's run of wins, saw England slip to fourth.

Netherlands (3113) continue to lead the way with a strong defence of their title at the EuroHockey Championships, to add to their FIH Hockey Pro League title and the bronze medal at the FIH Hockey World Cup in 2023.

Netherlands' dominance has seen them pull off a comfortable lead over Belgium (2989) in second place.

Germany (2689) and Australia (2544) hold on to the fifth and sixth positions respectively, while Argentina (2350) climbed up one spot to seventh ahead of Spain (2347).

After winning the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023, the Indian Men's Hockey Team have climbed to the 3rd Spot in FIH Men's World Rankings.#HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/blK6tpkcOr
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 14, 2023

Meanwhile, in the women's rankings, Netherlands (3422) are perched at the top spot, remain well clear of the chasing pack, continuing their dominance with a record-extending 12th Euro Hockey Championship title. Australia (2818) and Argentina (2767) stay put in the second and third places respectively.

However, Belgium (2609) had a great campaign at the Euro Hockey Championships, winning the silver medal that propels them ahead of Germany (2574) as the two teams occupy the fourth and fifth spots in the world rankings.

Indian women (2325) have climbed one spot to the seventh position, at the expense of Spain (2173), who finished sixth in the Euro Hockey Championships dropping over 150 world ranking points in losses against Belgium and Scotland.

Following the two teams are New Zealand (2001) and Japan (1900), who continue to hold their ninth and 10th spots, respectively, with China (1894) marginally behind Japan in the 11th position.