India win first bronze at 2025 Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup

The Indian hockey team clinched their first bronze medal at the 2025 FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup in Chennai on Thursday. The hosts recorded a sensational 4-2 comeback win against Argentina, scoring four goals in eleven minutes to secure third place in the tournament. Ankit Pal, Manmeet Singh, Shardanand Tiwari and Anmol Ekka scored for India after Nicolas Rodriguez and Santiago Fernandez had given the visitors the lead.

In the first quarter at the Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, Argentina controlled possession while host India found it difficult to get into rhythm. The Argentines made the most of their strong start by scoring the opener in the third minute through a Nicolas Rodriguez penalty corner.

Having failed to create much in the first quarter, India finally managed to carve out a good chance in the 20th minute when Dilraj Singh’s strike from the top of the circle was parried away by the Argentine goalkeeper. After the change of ends, India earned back-to-back penalty corners in the 31st minute but failed to convert either of them. Undeterred, Indians refused to sit back in the final quarter and went on to restore parity with two well-worked penalty corner deflections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated India’s Junior Men’s Hockey Team for winning the bronze medal, calling it a landmark moment for Indian hockey. India secured the bronze after a strong campaign, earning the country its first-ever medal of this colour at the tournament. The Prime Minister said the achievement reflects the skill, determination and resilience of India’s young athletes.