The Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams may have contrasting paths at the FIH World Cup, beginning in Belgium and the Netherlands on August 15, but their ultimate aim is the same — a historic podium finish.

With only two teams from each of the four pools (total 16 teams in either competition) set to advance to the upper tier, while the bottom two teams will head into the classification segment, Harmanpreet Singh & Co (World No. 8) seem comfortably placed as the second highest ranked team in Pool D with England (No. 3), Pakistan (No. 12) and Wales (No. 15) for company. However, the Salima Tete-led women’s team (No. 9) will have to contend with the likes of China (No. 4), England (No. 7), and South Africa (No. 18) in their Pool D.