Hockey: India stun Australia, register first win in 52 years in Olympics
Paris, Aug 2: Skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace as the India men's hockey team registered a famous 3-2 win over Tokyo Games silver medallist and nemesis Australia in its final Pool B match here on Friday.
Already assured of a quarterfinal berth before Friday's encounter, the Indians played valiantly and dominated the proceedings for major part of the match to stun the Kookaburras, against whom they last won in Olympics in the 1972 Munich edition.
It seemed India had saved their best for their last pool match, as it delivered a power-packed performance, playing attacking hockey from the beginning, and defending well throughout.
Abhishek (12th), skipper Harmanpreet (13th, 33rd) scored for India while Tom Craig (25th) and Blake Govers (55) found the net for Australia.
With this win, India most likely will finish their pool engagements in the second position with nine points, finishing behind table toppers Belgium (12), who are yet to play a match. The pole position will not change even if Belgium loses its match against Argentina.
The goal difference after that match will determine the final placing.
"It was an important match. We needed a match like this before the quarterfinals. From the start we put them under pressure. It's a proud moment to beat Australia," a proud Harmanpreet said after the match.
"We took it quarter by quarter. It's always said that Australia is a big team, although we don't approach the match with that mentality, it's big win for us."
The Indians started on an aggressive note and made two circle entries in the first two minutes.
Veteran India custodian PR Sreejesh, who is playing his last international tournament, was rock solid in front of the goal, making some vital saves to deny the Kookaburras.
In the 11th minute, Sreejesh made the first save to deny Tom Wickham, which resulted in a penalty corner. But the resultant effort from Jeremy Hayward was off target.
Jarmanpreet Singh then fired a pass to Sukhjeet Singh from the right flank. He just needed to deflect the ball but he could not stop the powerful strike. The strong Australian defence easily foiled his attempt by the time he gathered the ball and was ready to strike.
Australia created two back-to-back opportunities, but the Indian defence was rock solid.
India stunned Australia by taking the lead through Abhishek in the 12th minute. It was Lalit, who received a pass in an empty D, he attempted a shot but that was saved by goalie Andrew Charter. Abhishek got the ball on rebound, turned, and hammered the it past rival goalkeeper Andrew Charter.
A minute later, India got a penalty corner when the ball touched the foot of Jake Harvie and Harmanpreet beat Charter's defence with fierce grounded flick.
Tim Brand had an opportunity to reduce the deficit early in the second quarter but he struck the ball wide.
Australia earned their second penalty corner of the match in the 19th minute but Govers' shot was blocked Sreejesh.
Vice-captain Hardik Singh was a livewire in the mid-field, feeding the forwards consistently.
Australia got their third short cormer in the 25th minute. It was a poor injection from skipper Aran Zalewski but it turned into a goal as the Australians recovered quickly to pass it to an unmarked Craig at the second post, who deflected the ball in.
India also got a penalty corner soon but this time Harmanpreet's strike was kept at bay by Charter. India led 2-1 at half time.
India got their third penalty corner when Manpreet Singh was tackled by an Australian defender. Harmanpreet's goalmouth strike was obstructed by Flynn Ogilvie. India took a referral, which resulted in a penalty stroke.
And Harmanpreet made no mistake by converting the chance.
Australia earned another short corner seconds from the third quarter but failed to utilise the chance.
The Indians too secured back-to-back penalty corners in the final quarter, only to waste them.
In the 53rd min, Abhishek scored another fine goal after he was fed by Mandeep Singh but the goal was ruled out for a stick check.
Five minutes from the final hooter, Govers scored his seventh goal from a penalty stroke to reduce the margin.
Thereafter, the Indian defence stood tall to deny the Australians to register a famous win.
Through to the knockout stages, India skipper Harmanpreet said there is no scope for lapse or error from here on.
"There will be no margin for error from now onwards. We try to win great matches in every major tournament and trying to keep the great legacy of Indian hockey going.
"There is never a perfect match. Some or other thing remains. Like if you talk about today's match, possession is one area where we can do well," he said.
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Mohammed Shami not fully fit yet, ruled out of remaining two Tests in Australia
New Delhi, Dec 23: India pacer Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the last two Tests against Australia as he is yet to regain full fitness, the BCCI said on Monday.
Shami, who last played for India in the ODI World Cup final in November, 2023, made a comeback from his right heel surgery during Bengal's Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh last month.
With calls for his selection growing, Shami played all nine games for Bengal in the subsequent Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. He is also part of Bengal's squad for the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy but did not play the opening game on Saturday against Delhi.
His fitness has been a subject of intense debate and speculation, so much so that India skipper Rohit Sharma had asked the physios at the National Cricket Academy to provide clarity on the matter following the Brisbane Test.
Shami had developed swelling in his knees while playing the SMAT, and the clarification in that regard finally came on Monday.
"Based on the current medical assessment, the BCCI Medical Team has determined that his knee requires more time for controlled exposure to bowling loads. Consequently, he has not been deemed fit for consideration for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy," said the BCCI in a release.
"Shami will continue to undergo targeted strength and conditioning work under the guidance of the medical staff at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence and build his bowling loads needed to meet the demands of the longest format of the game. His participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy will depend on the progress of his knee."
The medical team said the veteran fast bowler has fully recovered from the heel injury that kept him out of action after the ODI World Cup.
"The BCCI Medical Team at the Centre of Excellence has been working closely with Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami on his recovery and rehabilitation after his right heel surgery. Shami has completely recovered from this heel problem.
"However, his left knee has exhibited minor swelling due to increased joint loading from his bowling workload. The swelling is on the expected lines, owing to the increased bowling after a prolonged period," the BCCI said.
Shami bowled 43 overs in his comeback game in the Ranji Trophy.
Following that, he played in all nine games of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), where he also "engaged in additional bowling sessions on the sidelines to build his bowling volume in order to get ready for the Test matches."
The 34-year-old has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests, 195 scalps in 101 ODIs and 24 wickets in 23 T20 Internationals.
With India relying heavily on Jasprit Bumrah in Australia, Shami's presence in the bowling attack would have provided a much needed boost.
