
The much-anticipated two-match test series between India and the world champions, Germany, is scheduled for New Delhi’s Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on October 23 and 24.
The series was finally officially confirmed on Tuesday by Hockey India for the very first time. Both teams are to face each other after the closely contested semifinal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Germany won 3-2.
The series is set to follow a spectacle of raw hockey while joining two of the most accomplished teams of the sport.
India has a great history of hockey, and so does Germany so this bilateral series definitely holds a lot of interest and promise. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey warmly welcomed the event.
The tournament will be quite thrilling and is an outstanding demonstration of global standard hockey, which will provide fans the chance to see how two professional teams perform.
- Expected Demand: High
- Availability: Tickets are anticipated to sell out quickly, with fans eager to witness this prestigious series.
A Rematch of Olympic Rivals
Recent History
- Last Encounter: 2024 Paris Olympics Semifinal
- Result: Germany 3 – 2 India
India and Germany have faced each other only once in recent history, and that also in the last two years that virtual street match was held during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Germany had a very close victory over India 3-2.
The loss was a bitter swallow for the Indian team, captained by Craig Fulton, who aimed to qualify for the Olympics final since 1980.
Indian team came back and won the bronze medal match against Spain 2-1 in a very competitive match. Germany, on the other hand, proceeded on to win the gold, thus justifying their bracket as the world’s best hockey team.
Having been associated with India for a longer time now, I believe Indian hockey fans are familiar with liking German hockey.
On the upcoming series, the president of the German Hockey Federation, Henning Fastrich, also added, “Having been associated with India for a longer time now, I believe Indian hockey fans are familiar with liking German hockey.”
Coming to India is not only a face-off between these two teams but also a unique chance for the Indian audience to see the world champion in action on Indian ground.
The bilateral series to be played in October will be useful series for both teams, especially for India, who have transformed a lot under the tutelage of Craig Fulton.
It will also be a basis for training prior to future significant competitions, such as the 2025 FIH Pro League and the 2026 World Cup.
The Germans, on the other hand will be aiming to hold the form that they exhibited at the Olympics, and this series is certain to please the hockey fans.
Related Article : Asian Champions Trophy HT: India routs Malaysia 8-1 with Rajkumar Pal’s hat-trick
India Riding High After Asian Champions Trophy Win

Image Credit: India.com
Key Players to Watch
- Harmanpreet Singh: Star player and team captain.
- Vivek Sagar Prasad: Rising talent.
- Manpreet Singh: Experienced leadership.
The India men’s hockey team moves into the series against Germany with nuevo vigor after having won the Asian Champions Trophy title for a fifth time.
The championship was clinched in a last decisive battle held in Moqi, China, where India blanked the Chinese team by 1-0. This made India the masters of Asian hockey, and any such win was considered as a morale booster for the next series against Germany.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh, one of the stars of the Indian team, will be very important in the Indian team’s bid to make amends for their Olympic loss.
Leading talents and new faces have strengthened the team while having Congal’s leadership skills and under the guidance of Australian-born Indian coach Craig Fulton, the team has efforts of tactical strength.
The proposed two matches against Germany will allow working on strategic plans and get more practice against one of the strongest teams in the world.
On the continental level, the Indian team has remained very successful. On the international level, the Indian coaches are keen on adopting a more liberal defensive strategy, with the latter having improved the rankings progressively.
Anticipation of rising new talent like Vivek Sagar Prasad and Shamsher Singh have strengthened the team besides the old world names like captain Manpreet Singh playing a leadership role on the ground.
For India, the series is much more than a repeat of their Olympic disappointment; it is an opportunity to measure their effectiveness against some of the real European giants to look forward to years ahead.
An Iconic Venue for a Historic Encounter
Unlike many other international matches, this prestigious series should be held at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, where good memories of Indian hockey have been created.
The stadium lies in the capital city of New Delhi, which is home to one of the finest hockey players of all time. The stadium is named after Dhyan Chand.
Germany’s world champions hosting at such an arena is the kicker that fans across India will undoubtedly throng in large numbers to watch.
The two-match series is not only good for practice for players but it is also a blessing for fans who can again enjoy the game they have a great passion for.
The tickets are again expected to be sold out quite soon, and hence, it will turn into an epicenter of Indian sports in late October at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium.
The series is an ideal example of tradition and the modern tournament, which brings together the two teams with an aim to express themselves in the world hockey arena.
Looking Ahead to a Thrilling Series
India’s men face Germany in New Delhi tomorrow, and as always, the focus will be on how Craig Fulton and his players rise to the occasion as they come up against one of the planet’s very best.
It will give India an opportunity to know how they stand and even get to adjust their strategies in view of future international tournaments.
For Germany, the series will serve as a way to carry forward the Olympic victory and consolidate their position and status as one of the most superior teams in the world of hockey.
Fans of hockey around the world are already waiting for the two-match series that will shortly be held.
The South Asian giants India and the European subsidiary Germany will fight out another top-quality hockey match, which will be rewarding for both sides and a step to world contests.
Want To Get Updated?
Keep up with the latest updates on sports, like Cricket, Football, Table Tennis, Shooting, Squash, Lawn Tennis, Karate, Taekwondo, and Martial Arts.
References:
EconomicTimes.com
TimesofIndia.com
