India’s men hockey team jumped to fifth position ahead of the likes of Belgium, Argentina and New Zealand when the Indian hockey team lodged a protest during the penalty shootout before finally settling for historic silver after the jury announced that the 1-3 result against Australia. India now has 1689 points at the conclusion of the Champions Trophy, 56 points ahead of sixth-placed Belgium (1633) and just eight away from Great Britain (1697) on fourth.

India was previously ranked fifth in 2004 but since then it has been a downward slide. This is the first time in more than a decade that India hockey team made has made it to the top five in world rankings since the International Hockey Federation (FIH) started the system in 2003. Team India also created history as it was the first time that they played in the final of the Champions Trophy against Australia (in London).

With their performance over the last six months at the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament (in Malaysia where they reached the final and then lost to Australia) and in the Champions Trophy they have shown they are on the right track for Rio. Harmanpreet Singh was the only scorer for India, while Aran Zalewski, Daniel Beale, Simon Orchard succeeded for Australia. Sreejesh could only deny Trent Mitton. However, it was India’s best performance in the history of the tournament. India’s previous best performance at the Champions Trophy was a bronze medal in 1982.