Page 12 - Indian Hockey Team

Nikhat to Satwik-Chirag: Top 10 Medal hopefuls for India in Olympics 2024

Though India's contingent is not the biggest ever at the Paris Olympics 2024, there are chances that the country's medal haul at the world's biggest sporting event might swell to 10 this time around.

Keep your faith in us, we will not disappoint: Hockey skipper Harmanpreet

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh understands that Indian men's hockey team will enter the Paris Games with huge expectations and promised to return from the French Capital with grand success which they would celebrate with passionate fans, just like the triumphant cricket team. Eight-time champions India had ended their 41-year-old medal drought in Tokyo by winning a bronze medal. "When we won a medal in Tokyo, it was like a tonic for hockey in India. This time our responsibility has increased and everyone knows how much love and respect we have received after that medal," Harmanpreet told PTI Bhasha. "I will only say that you (countrymen) have been with us since the first day and we have also tried to give our best. This time too, we will give our 100 per cent from first to last match. Keep your faith in us, we will not disappoint you." Just like any other Indian, Harmanpreet was brimming with pride after India ended their 17-year-old wait for another T20 World Cup title. The Indian cri

Don't be swayed by diversionary tactics, vote and save democracy: Kharge

As polling for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections began, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday urged voters to come out and vote to protect democracy from the clutches of dictatorship. In a fervent appeal to voters, he said this is not an ordinary election and they should not be swayed by any diversionary tactics. He said the Constitution should reverberate in their hearts before they push to voting button. Kharge also appealed to first time voters to come out in large numbers and vote as they were the real changemakers in this movement for democracy. "'We, the people of India' - this soul of the Constitution of India, should reverberate in your hearts and minds, before you push the voting button.Do not forget that this is not an ordinary election. It is an election to protect Democracy from the clutches of dictatorship," he said in his message on X. "To all my dear citizens, from 89 Constituencies in 13 States and UTs, do not get swayed by any diversionary tactics

IND vs AUS hockey: India suffer 0-5 whitewash, lose fifth Test 2-3 in Perth

The Indian men's hockey team failed to avoid a 0-5 series whitewash after going down 2-3 in the fifth Test against Australia, completing a nightmare of a tour here on Saturday. The Indians entered the final game of the series after losing their previous four matches 1-5, 2-4, 1-2 and 1-3. The rubber was significant as far as preparation is concerned ahead of the upcoming Paris Olympics. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh (4th) and Boby Singh Dhami (53rd) were the goal scorers for India, while Australia sounded the board through Jeremy Hayward (20th), Ky Willott (38th) and Tim Brand (39th). The Indians started the game with an attacking mindset. Jugraj Singh lobbed the ball up to Jarmanpreet Singh in the Aussie half but failed to connect with the forward line. India took the lead in the fourth minute through Harmanpreet from a penalty corner as he registered his third goal of the series. Australia equalised in the 20th minute through Hayward, who scored his seventh goal of the series from a

IND vs AUS hockey: Series lost, India look to rectify mistakes in 4th game

The series already lost, India would look to work on their weak links ahead of the Paris Olympics when they take on the mighty Australia in the fourth men's hockey Test here on Friday. The Indians started the tour on a disastrous note losing 1-5 and 2-4 against the hosts but produced a stellar defensive display in the third Test on Wednesday before squandering a goal lead to lose 1-2 and hand the series to Australia. A visible improvement was witnessed in India's performance match by match in the series but yet it was not enough to upstage the formidable Kookaburras. For Indian's chief coach Craig Fulton , who is taking the series to test out his strategies ahead of the Paris Games, a lot is left to do. If one day the forward line performed, the next day it under-performed and vice versa for the defence as well. While India's defence dished out a gallant effort in the third Test, braving Australia's constant threats from start to finish, the forward line looked a pale shadow of .

Superb Sreejesh fails to save India from losing 1-2 against Australia

Veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh's heroics went in vain as India squandered a goal lead to go down 1-2 against Australia in the third men's hockey Test to hand the home team an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series here on Wednesday. The Indians, who lost 1-5 and 2-4 in the first two Tests, produced a much-better show on Wednesday with the defensive unit leading from the front. It was a classic battle between the ever-attacking Australians against the Indian defence, which the latter narrowly lost eventually. India took the lead through Jugraj Singh's penalty corner conversion in the 41st minute, but Jeremy Hayward (44th and 49th) dashed the visitors' hopes by scoring a brace to hand Australia their third win on the trot. India played cohesively and with a lot more intensity to frustrate the Kookaburras, who secured as many as six penalty corners in the opening quarter but failed to get past the resolute defence of the visitors. Credit must go to both Indian goalkeepers --

India eye cohesive effort to keep 5-Test hockey series alive against AUS

The Indian men's hockey team would aim for a cohesive effort to avoid a hat-trick of losses when it takes on a formidable Australia in the third Test of the five-match series here on Wednesday. The Indians were drubbed 1-5 and 2-4 by Australia in the first two matches of the series, which is a part of preparations for this year's Paris Olympics for both the sides. The tour is of huge significance for India as it will provide valuable inputs about the areas to improve to chief coach Craig Fulton. And the first two matches have already done that as the Indian defence was put under continuous pressure by quick turnovers by the Kookaburras. The Indian defence, led by skipper Harmanpreet Singh, did not have the best days in the first two games as it wilted when put under pressure and conceded both penalty corners and soft field goals. The lack of ideas from the forwards inside the opposition circle is another area the Indians would need to address. The likes of Mandeep Singh, Abhishek

India vs Australia Hockey Test Series: Matches, timing, live streaming

In India, people can live stream the India vs Australia Hockey Test Series matches on JioCinema free of cost

Paris Olympics: Indian hockey team ready for Australian challenge

The in-form Indian men's hockey team will look to pass the "litmus test" that the formidable Australian side will pose at home when the two face off in a five-match Test series beginning here on Saturday. The series offers India a chance to gauge their strengths and capabilities ahead of the Paris Olympics. "This series serves as a litmus test for our team's preparedness ahead of the Paris Olympics. We aim to fine-tune our strategies and identify areas for improvement to ensure we are in peak form for the mega event. "Our focus will be on executing our game plan effectively and adapting to the challenges posed by the Australian side," chief coach Craig Fulton said. The away assignment offers the ideal chance for India to break their decade-long dry spell against Australia and secure a Test series win. Notably, India won the last away Test series against back in 2014. Fresh from their impressive performances in the FIH Pro League in February, the Indian squad, under the leadership

Paris 2024: Hockey coach Fulton has no problems in India ahead of Olympics

His former colleague Janneke Schopman might have resigned from her post accusing Hockey India of differential treatment but Craig Fulton says he hasn't faced such problems and has got "solid support" from all quarters here. Schopman had served as the head coach of the Indian women's hockey team while Fulton is in charge of the men's side. Schopman resigned as the women's team chief coach in February. "I have had no problems so far. I have got good solid support, I have clarity in selection. I have got the backing of the senior players and they have got a good understanding of my stuff. From the existing staff to the new staff we are all on the same page," Fulton said. "Once you have that trust in the group, trust with players and have a really bright vision about what you want to do, what are your goals, what's the timeline, then I think you have a good chance of doing well in India." Fulton though added that life is a bit different in India for foreign coaches like him. "It's ..

Hardik wins HI Men's Player of the year, Salima wins it in women's category

Star Indian midfielders Hardik Singh and Salima Tete were on Sunday conferred with the Player of the Year awards in men and women categories respectively during the sixth Hockey India Annual Awards here. Both the awards, in the name of legendary Balbir Singh Sr, carries a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh each. India vice-captain Hardik also bagged Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year, which carries a prize purse of Rs 5 lakh. India captain Harmanpreet Singh won the Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year and took home Rs 5 lakh, while veteran custodian PR Sreejesh was honoured with the Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year. Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year went to young striker Abhishek. Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Women, Under-21) was bagged by Deepika Soreng, while the recognition in the men's division, which is in the name of former India drag-flicker Jugraj Singh, went to Araijeet Singh Hundal. Both the awards carry a prize mo

Fulton opts to go with full list of probables for crucial Australia tour

Drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh will lead a 27-member strong Indian team in a five-match away hockey Test series against Australia, with chief coach Craig Fulton opting to go with almost the entire core group of probables undergoing training in Bhubaneswar. India will leave for Australia on April 1 and play their opening game on April 6, followed by matches on April 7, 10, 12 and 13. All the games will be played in Perth. The tour against one of the best hockey-playing nations is significant and the Indian team will aim to fine-tune its preparations ahead of this year's Paris Olympics. The tour will give Fulton the opportunity to have a look at his probable 16-member squad for the quadrennial showpiece event. But having said that, ahead of Paris Olympics the Indians will have another important assignment in the Belgium leg of the Pro League in May, which will give Fulton more options. "This will be a very important tour for us as it will not only ascertain the level we are at and t

Paris 2024: India rope in Dutch goalkeeping coach Dennis van de Pol

India have roped in Dutch goalkeeping expert Dennis van de Pol to aid the men's hockey team's preparations for the Paris Olympics. A well-known hockey goalkeeping coach, Van de Pol has been working with the Indian goalies for nearly four years now, with his first stint in 2019. He will join the ongoing national coaching camp at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, where he will work closely with PR Sreejesh, Krishan Pathak and Suraj Karkera. The 10-day special goalkeeping camp, overseen by chief coach Craig Fulton, will end on March 26, a week before the team leaves for the Australia tour. "This is a very important phase for the Indian men's team. In their quest for another podium finish at the Olympics, Hockey India is ensuring the team is provided with all the necessary support they need to fulfil this dream," Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey was quoted as saying in a media release. "We have re-emphasised the importance of these specialised coaching camps in goalkeeping and dr

PR Sreejesh aspires to be Indian hockey team's chief coach by 2036

Indian men's hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh doesn't want to predict his future at the moment and will take a call on his retirement after the Paris Olympics but the veteran custodian aspires to be chief coach of the national side by 2036. Sreejesh, who will be featuring in his fourth Olympics this year, refused to believe that the upcoming edition in Paris could be his last outing in the sporting extravaganza. He remains optimistic but said once he calls it quits, he definitely wants to give back to the game in one or the other way. "For me, this Olympics is really important because at this age it is really hard for me to talk about next four year cycle. From the last Olympics, I was only taking one year at a time. The rest decision comes after the Olympics," Sreejesh told PTI in an interview. "I don't think so (it will be his last Olympics) because when you are 36 and doing a beep test of 20.8 , I think it's quite good. "(But) after my career I will take a break for sure. I w

Paddy Upton to strengthen Indian men's hockey team for Paris Olympics

It's mind over matter for Hockey India as the sports body hired renowned South African mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton to assist the men's national team in the Paris Olympics. Upton, who played a role in India winning the 2011 Cricket World Cup, will be a part of the support staff of the country's men's hockey team in Paris. He was also there when the team won gold medals at the recent Asian Champions Trophy and Asian Games. Indian men's hockey team chief coach Craig Fulton confirmed to PTI that Upton will be with his wards at the Olympics. "We have Paddy Upton, he will be with us in Australia (for Test series). We will be using him wisely. For sure he will be there for Olympics with us," Fulton said when asked about the mental conditioning coach's services. Fulton, who is also a South African, believes that world ranked fourth India are still to reach their peak and there are plenty of bases to cover in the coming months. "We are not complete yet but, in 4-5 months from the

FIH Hockey Rankings: Indian men slip to 4th, women's team ranked 9th

India on Tuesday slipped a spot to the fourth position in the latest FIH men's world rankings with Germany taking the third place following their impressive run at the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers. India (2761) had directly qualified for the Paris Olympics through an Asian Games gold last year and didn't need to play in the recently-concluded Olympic Qualifiers. Germany (2786), on the other hand, went unbeaten at the Olympic Qualifiers in Oman and followed that up with two wins and two draws against Argentina and a young Belgian side during the Santiago del Estero mini tournament in the FIH Pro League to surpass India. Netherlands (3060) continue to sit at the top of the rankings, coming away from the India leg of the FIH Pro League, relatively unscathed, with two draws against India and a loss to Australia accounting for their only dropped points in 8 matches. Belgium (2848) continue to hold on to the second place in the rankings after a strong showing at the Olympic Qualifiers i

Defending Asian champions Trophy crucial to becoming best: Hardik Singh

Indian men's hockey team vice-captain Hardik Singh feels that the Asian Champions Trophy triumph last year was the perfect impetus for his side to achieve greater heights and defending the title will be an important step in becoming the best in the world. Since emerging victorious in the Asian Champions Trophy last year, the Indian hockey team went on to win the Asian Games and directly qualify for the Paris Olympics while also putting up a good show in the home leg of the FIH Pro League. The next edition of the men's Asian Champions Trophy will take place in Hulunbuir City, China from September 8 to 17. "Coming back from behind to win the tournament was a special feeling, and looking back, I feel the team used that game as a springboard to reach greater heights," Hardik was quoted as saying in a Hockey India release. "There is no doubt that we are looking forward to playing in the Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 and defending our title," the midfielder added. "We aim to be the

Turmoil in hockey: HI head Tirkey, secretary Bhola Nath Singh deny rift

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey and secretary general Bhola Nath Singh on Wednesday denied outgoing CEO Elena Norman's assertion of a rift between them, asserting that they are "united" and working in the best interest of the sport. Norman resigned on Tuesday and in an interview to PTI she alleged that there was factionalism in the body. The 49-year-old Australian suggested that Tirkey and Singh were at loggerheads and also complained of a difficult work environment. In a joint statement, Tirkey and Singh rejected Norman's claims. "Recently there have been statements by outgoing officials published in the media, claiming that there are divisions within the organisation. This is not correct. We remain united in working together, and as always in the best interest of the sport," the two said. "Hockey India is an autonomous and professional body dedicated to the development of Indian hockey. Our primary objective as an organisation has been and continues to remain the welfare and

It was becoming suffocating: Hockey India CEO Elena Norman on resignation

Outgoing Hockey India CEO Elena Norman on Tuesday said the work environment in HI was "suffocating" and she had no choice but to call it quits. After holding the position for 13 years, Norman resigned and even though HI did not reveal the specific reasons for her decision in its official statement, the Australian spoke out on what pushed her to exit. "Absolutely, it was getting tough to deliver in the fight between two factions. The environment was becoming suffocating," Norman told PTI in an interview. "There are two factions in Hockey India. There is (President) Dilip Tirkey and I and there is (Secretary) Bholanath Singh, (Executive Director) Cdr. R K Srivastava and (Treasurer) Sekar J Manoharan," she said. "There are guys who want power and then there is (HI President) Dilip (Tirkey) who is a nice guy, only after betterment of Indian hockey," the 49-year-old explained. What aggravated the entire situation was the non-payment of her remuneration for three months. "There were so

FIH Pro League: India end home leg on winning note, beat Ireland 4-0

The Indian men's hockey team blanked lower-ranked Ireland 4-0 to end their home leg of the FIH Pro League campaign on a winning note here on Sunday. Nilakanta Sharma (14th minute), Akashdeep Singh (15th), Gurjant Singh (38th) and Jugraj Singh (60th) were the goal scorers. Nilakanta and Jugraj got their goals from penalty corners while Akashdeep and Gurjant struck through field efforts. India dominated the match and led 2-0 half time. The Indian team is currently placed at the third spot with 15 points from eight matches, with five wins (three outright and two shootout) and three losses (one outright and two shootout). The Netherlands and Australia are above India with 26 and 20 points respectively. The Harmanpreet Singh-led side will continue their FIH Pro League campaign in the European leg in May-June.