Marijne defends pre-World Cup leave after India finish fifth

A fifth place may not carry the sheen of a medal. But India has returned from the Women’s Hockey World CupWorld CupWorld Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium with something almost as significant: Proof that the team is among the game’s best again.

The team’s best finish since 1974 came after a disastrous four-year stretch in which the promise of fourth place at the Tokyo Olympics gave way to missed opportunities and poor results. The team failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics, lost its Pro League status and was beaten by China in the Asia Cup final last year.

Against that backdrop, holding China, England and Australia, losing only once in six matches and then beating world No. 5 Germany 3-1 marks a remarkable turnaround.