The Indian men's hockey team faces a daunting challenge in the 'pool of death' at the Paris Olympics, where they will open their campaign against New Zealand. Following their historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, expectations are high for the team, which includes 11 Olympic medallists and five debutants. The team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, is aiming for a second consecutive podium finish but must navigate tough matches against reigning champions Belgium and powerhouse Australia in Pool B. Veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will retire after these Games, adding emotional significance to the competition. With India's world ranking having slipped from third to seventh, the team is aware that rankings do not always reflect true performance, as demonstrated in the recent World Cup. India's initial matches are crucial for securing a quarterfinal spot, as they look to build on their recent Olympic success.