Ranganathan francis

FIH Hockey World Cup: At just 24 years of age, Karnataka's Mohith HS is set to guard the goal for the Indian national hockey team -- taking over the job performed in the past by the legendary Ranganathan Francis, Shankar Laxman, Adrian D'Souza and PR Sreejesh.

Mohith is set to realise a lifelong dream with his maiden appearance at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to be played in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15 to 30. Alongside the experienced Suraj Karkera, Mohith is one of the two goalkeepers in the Indian team, marking another significant milestone in his remarkable journey.

While Mohith may not have the same level of international experience as Suraj, the young custodian has impressed consistently in recent months, particularly during the final leg of the FIH Pro League season, where his performances reinforced the selectors' faith in his abilities.