New Delhi: In a seismic shift in India’s recent hockey landscape, the eight-time Olympics gold medallists Friday shattered a 52-year hoodoo, toppling powerhouse Australia 3-2 in a pool stage encounter at the Paris Olympics.
The monumental upset, fuelled by forward Abhishek’s finish and captain Harmanpreet Singh’s inspirational form, marks a watershed moment for Indian hockey, as the Indian team announce their return to the pinnacle of the sport in emphatic fashion.
India’s victory over Australia in hockey at the Paris Olympics marks a historic breakthrough, ending a 52-year drought that began with the introduction of astroturf (new field surface) at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
Prior to the advent of astroturf, India was a dominant force in hockey, winning eight Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1964 and 1980, including a 3-1 triumph over Australia at the 1972 Munich Olympics which was played in grassy conditions.
The shift to astroturf revolutionised the sport, favouring speed and agility over traditional skills, and India struggled to adapt, leading to a half-century of disappointment against the Australians. Until now.
The thrilling 3-2 win marks a significant turning point in India’s campaign, as they overcome a formidable foe that has consistently tested them in recent years. The silver medallists from Tokyo Games 2020, Australia, have been a thorn in India’s side, but the manner of this victory exudes a newfound confidence that bodes well for India’s prospects.
Now sitting second in the highly competitive “death pool” alongside powerhouses like Belgium and Australia, and other strong sides like New Zealand, Ireland and Argentina, India’s chances of a podium finish have received a substantial boost.
India’s victory is a far cry from their one sided 1-7 defeat at the hands of the Kookaburras in the Tokyo Games. Prior to today’s encounter, the two teams had countered each other 11 times on the Olympics stage, with Australia holding a slight edge, winning six matches, India securing three wins, and two ending in stalemates.
However, with this thrilling win, India has not only bridged the gap but also reversed the narrative, signalling a new chapter in their rivalry against the mighty Australians at the Olympics.
Fans on social media are comparing India’s hockey win over Australia to their cricket win in Brisbane in 2021. That year, India won a thrilling match at the Gabba ground, making them the first away team to win at the venue in 32 years.
An X user stated: “This is Hockey’s Gabba. India has beaten Australia in hockey at the Olympics after 52 years.”
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A tense finale
India made a blistering start against Australia, racing to a 2-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Abhishek continued his rich form, scoring his second goal in consecutive games with a superb effort in open play in the 12th minute, adding affirmations to India’s concern for lack of field goals so far.
Just a minute later, Harmanpreet expertly converted a penalty corner to double India’s advantage. The Australians did pose some threat to the Indian goal in the opening quarter, but the experienced P.R. Sreejesh stood tall, producing a series of impressive saves to deny the Aussies and preserve India’s two-goal cushion.
India’s strong start was met with a resilient world number 4 Australian side’s response, as Thomas Craig’s 25th-minute strike halved the deficit to 1-2 at halftime. However, Harmanpreet’s precision from a penalty stroke in the third quarter, awarded after a successful video referral, restored India’s two-goal cushion at 3-1.
The Australians refused to back down, and Blake Govers’ penalty stroke in the final quarter set up a tense finale, narrowing the gap to 3-2. Nevertheless, India’s composure under pressure ultimately prevailed, as they held firm to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory and conclude the group stage on a triumphant note.
In a heart-warming moment of humility, India’s captain and lead drag flicker Harmanpreet, affectionately known as ‘Sarpanch Sahab’ or ‘Headman’, stole the show with his modest response during a post-match interview.
With seven goals to his name, making him the highest scorer at the Paris Olympics, Harmanpreet was asked by a Jio Cinema interviewer if he knew anyone by the name of Harman who is the highest scorer at the Paris Olympics. Without hesitation, he replied, “Those are not Harmanpreet’s goals, they are India’s goals.”
Despite already securing a quarterfinal spot, the Indian men’s hockey team had plenty to play for in their final group stage match against Australia. India’s journey to this point had been impressive, with wins over Ireland and New Zealand, a hard-fought draw against 2016 champions Argentina, and a narrow 2-1 loss to world number one Belgium.
The latter match, although a defeat, had yielded valuable positives, showcasing India’s growing prowess and ability to challenge the best teams in the world. With momentum on their side, India was poised to take on the mighty Australians and make a statement in the process.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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