Statistical Deep Dive: Indian Men’s Hockey Team Playing ‘Century’ of Matches Against Opponents
The Indian men’s hockey team have been part of international competitions for many decades now since the 1920s (1926 to be precise when the Blueshirts embarked on a Test tour of New Zealand that saw the emergence of our biggest hockey legend Dhyan Chand). Steeped in rich history, the Indian men’s hockey team have always made the ‘statistical book an interesting read’ – there are many international teams against whom the national team have squared up regularly and as time wore on, the Blueshirts have played over a ‘century’ of internationals against several nations.
The mouth-watering India-Pakistan matches are always a high priority for hockey lovers of both countries – not surprisingly, India have played their most international matches against arch-rivals Pakistan since their first meet-up on December 6, 1956 at the final of the Melbourne Olympics, where India won by a solitary goal. India have met Pakistan in 181 encounters, winning 66, losing 83, and drawing 32.
The Blueshirts have featured in 145 international encounters vs redoubtable Australia – both teams first met in a Test match at Melbourne on August 17, 1935, where India won 12-1- this remains our biggest win against the Kookaburras. The Indian men’s hockey team have played Australia 145 times, winning 25, losing 97, and drawing 23. The Blue brigade have locked horns with Asian counterparts Malaysia in 125 international encounters, winning 87, losing 17 and drawing 21. They first met in a Test match at Singapore on June 4, 1932 where India won 7-0.
The Indian men’s hockey team first rubbed shoulders with European powerhouse Netherlands at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, where they won 3-0. They have met the Dutch 117 times, winning 35, losing 53, and drawing 29. Another formidable opponent from Europe – Germany – have clashed with India in 109 international encounters – both teams met for the first time at Munich on September 11, 1932 where India won 6-0. India have played Germany 109 times, winning 26, losing 56, and drawing 27. India have also played over a ‘century of encounters against New Zealand since their first encounter at Christchurch on June 26, 1926, where they won 5-2. India have played New Zealand 104 times, winning 57, losing 29, and drawing 18.
Interestingly, the Indian men first reached the milestone of playing a ‘century’ of international matches against any nation at the 2003 Three Nation Tourney at Perth, Australia against Pakistan. India completed its 100th tie against Malaysia in late 2011 Champions Challenge Tourney at Johannesburg, against Australia at the 2014 World Cup at Hague, against the Netherlands at the 2015 Hockey World League Final Round at Raipur, against New Zealand at the 2019 Olympic Test Event at Tokyo, and against Germany in a 2021 Test match at Krefeld.
The Blushirts are now in line to complete a ‘century of internationals’ against two more countries – Japan and Belgium besides the mentioned six. India have played Japan 97 times, winning 86, losing 6 and drawing 5, while India have locked horns with Belgium 93 times, winning 51, losing 26, and drawing 16.
| Opponent | First Match Timeline & Venue | Debut Tournament | Debut Scoreline | Head-to-Head Encounters |
| Pakistan | December 6, 1956 – Melbourne | 1956 Olympics | India won 1-0 | 180 |
| Australia | August 17, 1935 – Melbourne | 1935 Test Match | India won 12-1 | 145 |
| Malaysia | June 4, 1932 – Singapore | 1932 Test Match | India won 7-0 | 124 |
| Netherlands | May 26, 1928 – Amsterdam | 1928 Olympics | India won 3-0 | 117 |
| Germany | September 11, 1932 – Munich | 1932 Test Match | India won 6-0 | 109 |
| New Zealand | June 26, 1926 – Christchurch | 1926 Test Match | India won 5-2 | 104 |
