India, Oct. 28 -- Soon after India crashed out of the Hockey World Cup in August, the team assembled for a post-series review. The morale was at an all-time low, and players were grappling with self-doubt.

Head coach Peter Fulton and captain Harmanpreet Singh took responsibility, but they didn't mince their words either. Some players were shown the mirror and given a reality check. Harsh words were exchanged, stern lessons were delivered. But at the end of the day, this team did what any team must after a crushing World Cup defeat: learn from it and move forward.

It's a tournament that India has historically struggled in. That they haven't won the title since 1975 is one thing, but their best finishes in the last five decades have been ...