India, Dec. 27 -- Star Belgium drag-flicker Alexander Hendrickx said reigning Olympic bronze medallist India will be a threat and a strong contender for a podium finish at next year's FIH Men's World Cup to be held from August 14 to 30.

Eight-time Olympic champions and back-to-back bronze medallists at Tokyo and Paris, India have finished on the World Cup podium only twice, ending runners-up in 1973 and winning their lone title in 1975 in Malaysia, 51 years ago.

"India always has a good side, the results from the last tournaments show it. They are always a threat. I think there are 5 top nations who are always contending for the World Cup and the medals and I think India is one of those 5," Hendrickx, a member of Belgium's Tokyo Olympic...