India coach: 'There were nerves' in must-win World Cup draw with Australia

India's women's hockey team coach admitted on August 24, 2026 that nerves played a significant role in the team's draw against Australia in the World Cup, a result that squashed their hopes for a semifinal berth.

The coach said "There were nerves" and described the match as marred by a lack of rhythm and various unforced errors.

Missed chances to score were particularly costly, but the coach said he took pride in the team's historical accomplishment of finishing fifth-sixth in the tournament.