International hockey will return to the capital after a 10-year hole when Olympic bronze-medallists India tackle world champions Germany in a two-Test bilateral sequence beginning in New Delhi on Wednesday, aiming to check some new faces and extract revenge for a current heartbreak inflicted by the guests. For the final 10 years, the capital’s Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, as soon as thought-about the religious residence of the sport, has not hosted any worldwide match.
The final sport performed right here was the 2014 Hero World League Final, though inter-departmental hockey has been held right here sometimes.
But the 2 Tests towards the world No.2 and Paris Olympics silver-winning outfit on Wednesday and Thursday could be an ideal comeback for the game.
It has been learnt that over 12,000 followers have already registered for the free tickets on supply by way of a personal ticketing portal. The National Stadium has a seating capability of simply over 16,000.
The two Tests maintain nice significance for Indian hockey, which is on an upswing following back-to-back Olympic bronze medals in Tokyo and Paris.
In the French capital, the Indians, below the talismanic and in-form Harmanpreet Singh’s management, misplaced 2-3 to Germany in a closely-contested semifinal.
“This series is not just about the two teams playing; it’s about reviving the spirit of hockey in Delhi. We hope this will inspire more young players from the region to take up the game,” Harmanpreet had mentioned after the rubber was introduced.
That sentiment apart, India even have an excellent alternative to avenge their loss in Paris.
But the Germans might be a tough nut to crack as they’re the reigning world champions and displayed that fortitude in Paris, taking place solely within the shoot-out to Netherlands within the gold medal match.
Going by rankings, the Germans are favourites as India are at present positioned fifth on the earth however in fashionable hockey, there’s hardly any distinction between the highest 10 groups and anybody can beat a high-placed rival on their day.
In the final 5 encounters between the 2 sides, India maintain an edge, having received three and misplaced two.
India have been on a excessive for the reason that Paris Olympics. A brand new-look workforce retained the Asian Champions Trophy title in September, beating hosts China 1-0 within the closing. That was India’s fifth ACT title.
The Indians have fielded a mixture of youth and expertise for the 2 matches, thereby highlighting chief coach Craig Fulton’s imaginative and prescient of planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The most notable inclusion within the squad is defender and drag-flicker Varun Kumar, who’s returning after a sabbatical from the sport that was pressured by allegations of sexual harassment by a junior volleyball participant. His title has since been cleared within the matter.
The Indians might be led by star drag-flicker Harmanpreet, who’s having fun with the type of his life and mid-fielder Vivek Sagar Prasad might be his deputy.
The hosts, nevertheless, will proceed to overlook the providers of mid-field mainstay Hardik Singh, who remains to be recovering from an damage he sustained on the Olympics.
Fulton drafted in some new faces in mid-fielder Rajinder Singh and striker Aditya Arjun Lgale, who might be making their worldwide debut. Besides Vivek, veteran Manpreet Singh might be accountable for the mid-field.
Striker Mandeep Singh, who was rested for the ACT, will look to dazzle upfront within the firm of Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, and Dilpreet Singh amongst others.
The Indian purpose might be manned by Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera, who lived as much as expectations within the ACT in Hulunbuir, China after the legendary PR Sreejesh’s retirement.
The two matches will present the newcomers and comeback-men an opportunity to show their mettle in entrance of the workforce administration and nationwide selectors.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
Topics talked about on this article
