{
  "id": 1744651,
  "title": "FIH Hockey World Cup 2026: ‘Matches Against Pakistan Are Not As Tough As They Used To Be,’ Says PR Sreejesh",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/fih-hockey-world-cup-2026-matches-against-pakistan-are-not-as-tough",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T15:05:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/fih-hockey-world-cup-2026-matches-against-pakistan-are-not-as-tough-as-they-used-to-be-says-pr-sreejesh"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 18, 2026, former India captain PR Sreejesh spoke about India’s chances in the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026 against Pakistan. Sreejesh noted that India has been using a new formation for the past year and a half, which often leads to a defensive style of play. However, in recent Pro League matches, India has been pushing higher up the pitch and pressuring opponents. To succeed against European teams in the World Cup, India needs to stay compact defensively and not drop too deep. The captaincy of Harmanpreet Singh is also crucial, as his influence is mostly off the pitch, with a focus on team unity, support for younger players, and maintaining a positive environment. In recent years, India has improved its fitness, strength, game awareness, and decision-making, which has made matches against Pakistan less tough. Despite Pakistan's potential, their current team may not be at the same level as before. All India matches will stream live on JioHotstar, with English and Hindi commentary available on Star Sports channels. Fans can also enjoy various shows on JioStar, including 'The World Cup Dream' and 'Anthem in the Jersey', providing insights into the stories behind the FIH Hockey World Cup. The first match, India vs Pakistan, will be played on August 19, 6:30 PM on JioHotstar and Star Sports.",
  "summary": "August 18, 2026: India’s hopes of progressing in the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026 face a crucial test against arch-rivals Pakistan following their defeat to England in the previous match. Speaking to JioStar, former India captain PR Sreejesh weighed in on the India-Pakistan rivalry, India’s defensive approach, and the importance of staying composed in pressure situations. Sreejesh On India's…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}