Paris Olympics 2024 Highlights, 27th July - Manu Bhaker through to final; Preeti Pawar advances to Ro16, India beat NZ 3-2 in hockey; Satwik-Chirag, Sen win in straight games

Paris Olympics 2024 Highlights, (27th July)- Manu Bhaker's heroics were followed by straight games wins for Lakshya Sen, Satwik-Chirag and Harmeet Desai in their respective sports. The Indian hockey team edged past NZ 3-2 to seal their first win. Follow Sportskeeda for every update on Paris Olympics 2024.

That's all we have for you from today's coverage! Join us back tomorrow to catch all the live action of the Indian contingent from Paris. Until then, this is team Sportskeeda, bidding you adieu. Good night!

Paris 2024 Olympics Day 1 - A day of mixed fortunes for India

Right then, that brings us to the end of Indian action on Day 1. A day filled with ebbs and flows. It all sytarted with Balraj Panwar missing out on the quarterfinals by 2 seconds and qualifying for the repechage rounds. Unfortunately, that was not the end as far as nearly missing out on qualifications was concered.

The 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team of Ramita and Arjun Babuta didn't miss the qualification by too much but it was Sarabjot Singh in the 10m Air Pistol Men's Qualification who missed a ticket to the final by the barest of margins. Having tied on points with the eighth placed shooter, he lost out due to shooting fewer Xs (innermost circle shots).

However, India's fortunes turned when Manu Bhaker secured third position to qualify for the Women's 10m Air Pistol finals. The Rohan Bopanna/Sriram Balaji match did not transpire as rain pelted down in France, making sure nearly all matches in the open courts were cancelled.

Lakshya Sen made a stellar comeback in the second game of his match against Kevin Cordon to seal the deal while Satwik and Chirag confortably won in straight games. Harmeet Desai, who looked a little rusty, got past Yaman, finishing the match in the first four games itself.

India's hockey match was one to behold, with twists and turns that no one could have scripted. The team played their hearts out and in the end, a penalty stroke with less than two minutes to go saw India take a 3-2 lead, which was the eventual scoreline with which the match ended.

At the end of the day, it was Ponnappa and Crasto who crashed to a straight games loss against Kim and Kong but good news flowed in when Preeti Pawar exceeded expectations on Olympic debut and sealed a Round of 16 match with a splendid win.

BADMINTON - Women's Doubles

Well, that wraps it up - Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto lose to the Korean pair of Kim So-yeong and Kong Hee-yong in straight games, with the scores reading 18-21, 10-21. A stellar comeback in the first game saw them reach very close to the Koreans but in the second game, it was pretty much one-way traffic. They still have a couple of group stage games left and will have to come back stronger in case they want to keep their qualification hopes alive.

BADMINTON - Women's Doubles

The lead for the Koreans has crossed 10 points now, with the score reading 15-4 against the Indians. The rest of the game seems like a formality now, unless Ponnappa and Crasto can pull off a comeback for the ages from here on. Read the detailed coverage of the match here.

BADMINTON - Women's Doubles

After losing the first game, the Koreans have raced away to a 5-1 lead in the second game. Ponnappa and Crasto need to play much better in the second game if they are to salvage this match. Click here for the detailed coverage of the match!

BOXING - Women's 54 kg

Preeti Panwar def. Vo Thi Kim Anh

A late-night masterclass from 20-year-old Preeti Panwar, who ousted her opponent from Vietnam to enter the Round of 16 in the Women's 54 kg category. The Indian got off to a slow start but grew into the contest. After her dominant second-round performance, there was no looking back.

Preeti will now face a much tougher opponent in the form of 2023 New Delhi World Championships silver medallist Yeni Arias of Columbia in the Round of 16. But fans can expect a strong showing from the talented youngster as she continues her pursuit for Olympics glory!

Here's how the Group B points table looks like in hockey after India's important win over New Zealand👇

Paris Olympics 2024 Hockey Points Table: Paris Olympics 2024 Hockey Points Table: Pool B updated standings after India vs New Zealand, Match 6

BOXING - Women's 54 kg

Final score: Preeti 5 - 0 Ahn

Preeti scripts an incredible comeback. She opened the third round landing a straight jab onto her opponent's face.

The young Indian went from strength to strength from there on out to post a win on her Olympic debut!

BADMINTON - Women's Doubles

The score reads 18-15 in favour of Kim/Kong. The Koreans had taken a massive lead but there's been a sensational comeback from the Indians in this round. Ponnappa and Crasto are motivated, as "Bharat Mata ki Jai" chants echo through the stadium. There's plenty of support for the Indian duo.

BOXING - Women's 54 kg

Round 2: Preeti 97 - 93 Ahn

Ahn fell into a passive stance at the start of the round, allowing Preeti to take the initiative.

The Indian, realising the need to be aggressive, turned up the heat, pushing the Vietnamese's on the backfoot. The Indian scored a perfect 50! She now leads!

BOXING - Women's 54 kg

Round 1: Preeti 47 - 48 Ahn

After a tentative start from both women, the nimble footed Ahn got the upper hand, but Preeti came back strongly to land a few punches.

Both boxers moved into a more defensive stance as the round progressed, but it was the mid-round flurry that helped Ahn take the round by a narrow margin.

BOXING - Women's 54 kg

India's Preeti Panwar and Vietnam's Vo Thi Kim Anh have stepped out onto the ring.

The Indian, a southpaw, will look to be the aggressor in the contest as she hopes to open her maiden Olympics campaign with a win. The Round of 32 is set to begin in just a few moments.

BADMINTON - Women's Doubles

An 8-5 lead for the Korean pair of Kim/Kong over Ponnappa/Crasto. The Indians are a tad lethargic on the mat, and are unable to pick up the incoming drop shots. There's also some gaps between them, which the Koreans are exploiting.

BOXING - Women's 54 kg

The young 20-year-old Indian had impressed many with her showing at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, winning the bronze medal.

Making her debut at the Olympics, she will be looking to put her best foot forward.

BOXING - Women's 54 kg

India's Preeti Panwar will also be opening her 54kg category campaign against Vietnam's Vo Thi Kim Anh.

The duo's Round of 32 bout is scheduled to begin at 12.02 am.

BADMINTON - Women's Doubles

Right then, it's time for our penultimate match of the day, with the duo of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto taking centerstage. Click here to catch a detailed coverage of the match!

After a terrific performance today, Manu Bhaker will be featuring in the Women's 10m Air Pistol Final tomorrow. Here's three reasons why she can win the Gold medal 👇

Manu Bhaker: Paris Olympics 2024: 3 reasons Manu Bhaker can win gold for India

The Satwik-Chirag duo got off to a terrific start, with a win in straight games. Here's how fans reacted to their win 👇

"Hoping something big from them" - Fans express joy on Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty's dominating opener in Paris Olympics 2024

Whew, that definitely went down to the wire! A close win for the Indian hockey team. Looking ahead, we have some more badminton action for you today, with Ashwini Ponappa and Tanisha Crasto playing shortly, while Preeti Pawar will be in action in the boxing ring. Stay tuned right here at Sportskeeda!

HOCKEY - India vs New Zealand

AND INDIA SEAL THE DEAL! A huge sigh of relief as they edge past NZ 3-2 to begin their Olympic campaign in style. They have won an important match here, and these points will be very valuable for them. They started their campaign at the Tokyo Olympics with a 3-2 win over NZ and they have just replicated the feat right here in Paris!

HOCKEY - India vs New Zealand

GOALLL!!! After a couple of penalty corners, India get a penalty stroke and Harmanpreet Singh makes it count! He scores and with under two minutes left on the clock, India have taken a 3-2 lead over NZ. For the detailed coverage of this match, click here.

HOCKEY - India vs New Zealand

A fantastic passage of play for New Zealand! The Black Sticks had multiple penalty corners and they finally convert one of them. It's all tied up at 2 goals apiece! This is not for the weak-hearted, we are going right down to the wire. Click here to read the detailed coverage of the match.

HOCKEY - India vs New Zealand

Just 15 minutes left on the clock and the pressure intensifies. New Zealand have had their fair share of opportunities but have not been able to convert them. The score reads 2-1 in favour of India. Can India win this and notch up some crucial points? Click here to catch all the action from the last quarter!

HOCKEY - India vs New Zealand

GOAL again! India have taken the lead in this contest! They are creating more chances now and are coming into their own. A slightly controversial goal but it will certainly please the Indians. Click here for the detailed coverage of the match.

India at Olympics, Day 1: What is coming up?

After the hockey match, India has two events pending, with the Tennis match featuring Bopanna and Balaji standing cancelled.

11:50 PM IST: Badminton Women's Doubles - Ponappa / Crasto vs Kim / Kong
00:02 AM IST (28th July) - Boxing Women's 54kg Round of 32 - Preeti Pawar

HOCKEY - India vs New Zealand

GOAL! India scores and they've tied it at 1-1 as we near the end of the second quarter. After some initial nerves, the team is looking much more coordinated now. Click here for all the live updates in detail from the match.

HOCKEY - India vs New Zealand

Oh well, at the end of Q1, it is India who are trailing 0-1 to New Zealand. A penalty corner being converted by NZ and they take the early lead. Can India make a comeback? Click here for the detailed coverage of the hockey match.

TENNIS - Men's Doubles

The Men's Doubles match of Rohan Bopanna and Sriram Balaji stands cancelled for today. It remains to be seen how, and more importantly, when the match will be rescheduled for.

HOCKEY - India vs New Zealand

The hockey match between India and New Zealand is all set to begin shortly! The national anthem of the Indian team is being played followed by that of NZ. Click here to follow all the live action from the match!

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Group Stage
Smooth sailing for SatChi as they open their Paris 2024 campaign with a win in straight games. Satwik-Chirag defeat the French pair of Corvee and Labar 21-17 21-14 in their first group stage match!

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Group Stage
A handsome lead now for Satwik-Chirag as they inch closer towards a win. They lead 16-10 in the second game - head over here to find out if they can wrap this up quickly!

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Group Stage
The lead widens slightly as Satwik-Chirag now take it to 11-8 in their favor. Hop in here for further updates!

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Group Stage
A similar beginning to the second game as Satwik-Chirag take a lead of 7-5. Don't forget to catch up on the detailed coverage of this contest here!

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Group Stage
Satwik and Chirag take the honors for the opening game, winning it 21-17. Follow the updates from the second game of this contest right here!

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Group Stage
Satwik and Chirag continue to hold the lead even as the French duo of Corvee and Labar keep fighting. SatChi now lead 17-14 in the first game. Follow more updates right here!

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Group Stage
Satwik and Chirag are asserting their dominance now, taking a six-point lead as the score in the first game reads 12-6 in their favor. Head over here for more updates!

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Group Stage
A see-saw start but Satwik and Chirag take a 7-5 lead in the first game. Follow further updates from that match right here!

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Group Stage
Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are in action now. Catch the detailed coverage of that contest here!

BADMINTON - Men's Singles Group Stage
He's done it! From 16-20 down in the second game, Lakshya Sen wins six points in a row to take the honors 22-20. He wins his first match against Kevin Cordon by a margin of 21-8, 22-20!

BADMINTON - Men's Singles Group Stage
The gap is closing now! Lakshya Sen is pulling off a tremendous fightback as he takes it from 16-20 to 19-20. Follow further updates right here!

TABLE-TENNIS - Men's Singles Preliminary Round
Smooth sailing for Harmeet Desai as he wins his preliminary round fixture in straight games. Harmeet Desai beats Zaid Abo Yaman 11-7 11-9 11-5 11-5 to advance to the next round.

BADMINTON - Men's Singles Group Stage
It's more to-and-fro now between Lakshya Sen and Kevin Cordon, but Sen continues to trail 11-16. Don't forget to catch detailed updates from that match right here!

TABLE-TENNIS - Men's Singles Preliminary Round
Harmeet Desai's dominance continues - he laps up the third game 11-5 with Zaid Abo Yaman having no answers to him. Follow further updates from that contest right here!

BADMINTON - Men's Singles Group Stage
While Lakshya Sen pulls a few points back in his favor, it's Kevin Cordon who continues to maintain a healthy lead in the second game. Sen now trails 6-11 - catch further updates on this match right here!

TABLE-TENNIS - Men's Singles Preliminary Round
That's two games now in Harmeet Desai's favor as he wins the second game 11-9. Can he wrap this up by winning four games on the bounce? Do head over here for further updates!

BADMINTON - Men's Singles Group Stage
A difficult start for Lakshya Sen in the second game as he trails Kevin Cordon 2-6. Catch the detailed coverage of this game right here!

BADMINTON - Men's Singles Group Stage
Lakshya Sen takes the first game 21-8. Can he seal it in straight games? Head over here for our detailed coverage!