As India men’s hockey team beat Australia 3-2 in the Paris Olympics 2024, former Indian cricket team’s all-rounder Yuvraj Singh heaped praise on the team. He posted a story on Instagram and expressed his happiness on the result.
On Friday, August 2, India pulled off a stupendous victory against a team that defeated them 7-0 back in 2022 at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Indian men’s hockey team also ended their long wait of 52 years to beat Australia at the Olympics. They had last beaten them in the 1972 Berlin Olympic Games. In the Sydney Olympics back in 2000, India drew their men’s hockey match against the Aussies but had to wait for more than half a century to taste victory.
Yuvraj, who has played several match-winning knocks against Australia in World Cups and other big tournaments over the years, congratulated Indian men’s hockey team for their whole-hearted efforts.
“Shabash mundeyon! Great team effort to achieve the historic feat beating the Aussies after a record of 52 years,” Yuvraj wrote on his story.
Harmanpreet Singh leads the charge in India men’s hockey team win in Paris Olympics
Harmanpreet led from the front of the India men's hockey team's win in their last pool match. Abhishek gave India a lead in the 12th minute after which Harmanpreet extended it to 2-0.
Thomas Craig opened the account for Australia, but Harmanpreet’s second goal in the 32nd minute made it 3-1. Blake Glovers scored a goal in the 55th minute, but could not deny India men's hockey team the victory.
“I think we ticked off all the right boxes today. Starting the way we did and then some brilliant saves by PR Sreejesh ensured we stayed ahead in the game. It is a special win ahead of the quarterfinals,” Harmanpreet said after the match.
Harmanpreet has already scored six medals in Paris Olympics 2024 and has been in stupendous form. He also scored those many goals when India men's hockey team won bronze in Tokyo 2020.
India finished the pool stage second in the points table with 10 points. They will meet Great Britain in the quarterfinal on Sunday.