Exciting, unpredictable ride on the cards

Tough to pick favourites among top-eight, India kick off campaign against Aussies today

Indervir Grewal


The Indian hockey team warms up during a training session on the eve of their match against Australia in the Hockey World League Final in Bhubaneswar, on Thursday. PTI

International hockey returns to Odisha. If the last tournament, the 2014 Champions Trophy, is any indication, the Hockey World League Final is likely to be an exciting and unpredictable tournament. In its small history, the HWL Final, which has never been organised outside India, has thrown up some strange results. In the first edition, in New Delhi, dark horses New Zealand reached the final. In 2015, India stunned Britain and Netherlands to win the bronze medal.