The hockey turf revolution began 50 years ago at 10 am on 18 July 1976, when India and Argentina played the first match of the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. This was Hockey Turf Day One.

The seventh episode of the ‘Women Who Thrive’ series features hockey star María José Granatto. Widely regarded as one of the world’s premier hockey players, the Argentinian ace is renowned for her exceptional skill, vision, and creativity on the ball, capable of changing the course of a match in an instant. 

As we count down to the highly anticipated FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026, we take a closer look at the competing men's and women's teams ready to battle for global supremacy. In this special preview series, we profile each nation's journey to the tournament, examining their road to qualification, historic achievements, key players to watch, and the tactical minds leading them into the ultimate hockey showcase. In today’s story we take a look at the India men’s team, ranked #8 in the world.