Harmanpreet's brilliance, Sreejesh's grit fetches India bonus point in shootout win over Argentina
FIH Pro League
Buenos Aires: The Indian men's hockey team snatched a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Olympic champions Argentina after Harmanpreet Singh kept the side afloat in regulation time with his two goals in the action-packed first game of their FIH Pro League tie here.
In an engrossing contest between two evenly-matched teams, it was Harmanpreet (21st minute) who gave India a 1-0 lead with a superbly executed penalty corner early in the second quarter before a quick-fire double from Martin Ferreiro (28th, 30th) put Los Leones into a 2-1 lead at half time.
Argentina held onto their lead until the dying seconds of the match, when Harmanpreet (60th) stepped up to the mark to tie the scores with a second-phase penalty corner for the visitors, who were playing their first Pro League match after more than a year.
The draw guaranteed a point for each team, but it was the tourists who walked away with the bonus point, thanks largely to some brilliant goalkeeping by PR Sreejesh.
As per the event's rules, the team winning the shoot-out also walks away with the bonus point.
Sreejesh denied Lucas Vila, Martin Ferreiro and Ignacio Ortiz before Dilpreet Singh sealed a 3-2 win in the one-on-ones with a cool finish against veteran Argentina goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi.
The result meant India consolidated their fifth position in the FIH Hockey Pro League standings with 12 points from seven matches. Argentina are placed sixth, with 11 points from as many games.
Harmanpreet was deservedly declared player-of-the-match.
"I think the most important thing was that we never gave up," Harmanpreet said. "We were fighting until the last minute, and that is why we got a result here."
Asked what his team needs to improve on for the second game to be played later in the day, Harmanpreet said: "We got lots of cards today, so I think we need to improve on that. We need to keep that in mind so in the next match, we don't get any cards."
The two teams will face each other again on Sunday.
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KL Rahul slams unbeaten century as Delhi Capitals score 199/3 against Gujarat Titans in IPL
New Delhi, May 18 (PTI): Opener KL Rahul displayed great intent on a slow and grippy wicket to score his fifth IPL century as Delhi Capitals scored 199 for 3 against Gujarat Titans here on Sunday.
Rahul, who scored a 65-ball unbeaten 112 and shared a 90-run partnership with one-down batter Abhishek Porel (30), dug deep into his reserves after DC yet again lost opener Faf du Plessis (5) early.
Rahul's last IPL century had come in 2022 and while other batters struggled, he hit 14 boundaries and 4 sixes to give DC a competitive score.
Rahul also earned the unique distinction of scoring centuries for three different franchises in the IPL -- Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals.
GT's left-arm pacer Arshad Khan (1/7), Sai Kishore (1/47) and Prasidh Krishna (1/40) took a wicket each.
Brief scores:
Delhi Capitals: 199 for 3 in 20 overs (KL Rahul 112 not out, Abhishek Porel 30; Sai Kishore 1/47, Prasidh Krishna 1/40).
