Hockey World Cup live updates, India vs Wales: (Hockey India Photo)
Captain Harmanpreet Singh and, before him, Sanjay, scored from penalty corners to put India 2-0 ahead in the first quarter of their men’s Hockey World Cup opening match against Wales. India were as dominant as expected, although Wales seemed to be slowly growing into themselves as the second quarter wore on. India couldn’t find a way to add to their lead in the second quarter.
On the day India celebrates its 80th Independence Day, the country’s hockey team start a fresh campaign in the men’s hockey World Cup, a tournament that they have rarely tasted success in despite their illustrious history in the sport. India have won the World Cup just once – in 1975, and that was also the only time that they reached the final. Overall, India have reached the final four just three times, the last of which was in 1975.
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However, they will first have to keep out of their minds the distraction that came with their controversial desicision to change their jersey colours from the iconic blue, in which they won medals at the last two Olympics, to saffron.
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Harmanpreet was the player of the tournament at the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy, scoring nearly one-third of India’s goals in the triumphant campaign. (Photo Credit: Hockey India)
By the time India’s players assemble in a semicircle at the top of the ‘D’ on a June morning in Bengaluru, their training jerseys are already drenched in sweat.
Manpreet Singh crouches to receive the injection from vice-captain Hardik Singh. Rajinder Singh readies himself to flick, while Yashdeep Siwach, Abhishek Nain and Shilanand Lakra take up positions around the circle.
Everyone is present for India’s penalty-corner drills. Almost. Well, almost. India’s captain, and the team’s great big-match weapon, Harmanpreet Singh is instead stretched out on the physio’s table in the dug-out. READ MORE.
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