India's men's field hockey team hit rock bottom on February 12, 2026, suffering an unprecedented 8-0 demolition at the hands of Argentina in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2025-26 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. The result sent shockwaves through the hockey world and left Indian fans stunned in their own backyard.

The nightmare began early for India when captain Harmanpreet Singh missed a penalty stroke in the first quarter, setting the tone for what would become a relentless onslaught by Los Leones. Argentina's Tomas Domene was the star of the evening, finishing with four goals, including the final strike just seconds before the hooter. Tomas Ruiz opened the scoring in the 14th minute, and from there the floodgates opened. Lucio Mendez added to the tally in the 22nd minute, Ignacio Ibarra struck three minutes later, and Nicolas della Torre made it five before halftime with a goal on the half-hour mark. India had no answer to the visitors' clinical finishing and relentless pressing game.

The humiliating defeat was not an isolated incident. India had already begun their Rourkela leg on a sour note, losing 1-3 to Belgium on February 11. In that match, Shilanand Lakra scored India's lone goal in the 29th minute, but Belgium's Nelson Onana, Thomas Crols, and Arno Van Dessel were too much for the Indian defense, with two goals coming in a devastating final quarter. The rematch on February 14 followed the same script, as Belgium raced to a 4-0 lead inside 17 minutes through Hugo Labouchere, Alexander Hendrickx's brace, and Arthur de Sloover. India managed second-half goals from Aditya Lalage and Harmanpreet Singh but lost 2-4. The Rourkela leg ended with India falling 2-4 to Argentina in their final match on February 15, finishing with four defeats in four outings.

Belgium were the dominant force in Rourkela, sweeping all their matches. They also defeated Argentina 5-3 on February 10 and completed a double over Los Leones with another 5-2 victory on February 13, with Tom Boon grabbing a hat-trick in one of the matches.

Meanwhile, in Hobart, Australia, the Kookaburras put on an impressive show of their own. Australia defeated Pakistan 3-2 and 3-0, and also overcame world champions Germany 3-0 and 3-2 in a thriller on February 15 where Tom Craig was named Player of the Match. Germany themselves had dismantled Pakistan 5-1 and 6-1 across their two encounters.

In women's action, Ireland wrote their own piece of history in Hobart, recording their first-ever FIH Hockey Pro League victory with a stunning 4-1 triumph over the Hockeyroos on February 15. Argentina's women dominated the Hobart leg, winning three out of their four matches.

The results carry significant weight this season, as the FIH Pro League standings will determine direct qualification spots for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. For India, the winless Rourkela leg raises serious questions about their form heading into a crucial stretch. The action now shifts within Hobart itself, where the second stage runs from February 20-22, featuring Australia, Spain, India, and China in both men's and women's competitions. India will be desperate to turn their fortunes around as the road to LA begins to narrow.