India's star shooter Manu Bhaker is set to compete in her third event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, aiming for another medal. In the badminton quarter-finals, Lakshya Sen will face Chou Tien Chen while in hockey, the Indian team is up against rivals Australia. Track & field events kick off as well, with Parul Chaudhary and Tajinderpal representing India. Senior reporter Mihir Vasavda covers all the action, including a gender row and a vegan diet at the Olympics.
Hockey Olympics: India's Quest for Glory Amidst Global Competition
Background
Hockey has a rich history in the Olympics, with the sport first being introduced in 1908. India holds the record for most Olympic hockey medals, with 8 golds, 1 silver, and 3 bronze medals. However, their last Olympic triumph came in 1980 in Moscow.
Current Event: Paris 2024 Olympics
The Indian hockey team will be competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics, looking to reclaim their former glory. The team is currently ranked 5th in FIH rankings. They will face stiff competition from defending champions Belgium, world champions Australia, and other top teams.
Key Players
The Indian team will be led by experienced captain Manpreet Singh. Other key players include P.R. Sreejesh (goalkeeper), Hardik Singh, and Harmanpreet Singh.
Matchup: India vs. Australia
In the quarterfinals, India will face arch-rivals Australia. Australia is the current world champion and has won the last three gold medals in the Olympics. India will need to play at their best to overcome the Australian challenge.
FAQs
1. How many times has India won an Olympic hockey medal? Answer: 12 (8 golds, 1 silver, 3 bronze)
2. Who is the captain of the Indian hockey team? Answer: Manpreet Singh
3. What is the world ranking of the Indian hockey team? Answer: 5th
4. Which country has won the most Olympic hockey gold medals? Answer: India (8)
5. When was the last time India won an Olympic hockey gold medal? Answer: 1980 in Moscow
The highly anticipated 3rd match of the Women’s Big Bash League 2024/25 will see Perth Scorchers Women taking on Melbourne Stars Women on Sunday. With Perth Scorchers missing their captain Sophie Devine who is on National duty, Beth Mooney will lead the team while Melbourne Stars Women will be captained by Annabel Sutherland. The match will be played at the pace and bounce-friendly Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, making chasing a favorable option. Perth Scorchers Women are expected to have an upper hand in this match based on their recent form.
In a must-win match for New Zealand, skipper Sophie Devine won the toss and chose to bat first against India in the 2nd Women's ODI at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. In the previous match, India won by 59 runs thanks to strong performances by debutant Tejal Hasabnis and all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who scored 42 and 41 runs, respectively. The Indian team will look for a repeat performance to secure the series win.
After being dropped for the England Tests, former captain Babar Azam and pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah return to the Pakistan team for the upcoming white-ball series against Australia. The selectors have also announced many new faces in the squads, while senior players like Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan have been left out. The PCB is also set to announce new captains for the limited-overs formats, with wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha expected to lead the team. Additionally, bold steps have been taken as the selectors plan to use the ODIs and T20s in Zimbabwe to test new players.
The Catalan giants, led by coach Hansi Flick, showcased an impressive performance as they defeated Real Madrid with an astonishing score of 4-0. This win solidifies Barcelona's position at the top of La Liga, six points clear from their rival. Flick praised his team's flow and mentality, but reminded them to stay focused for the upcoming matches. The team is on a roll, winning 10 out of 11 league matches despite missing key injured players.
In Saturday's El Clasico, Barcelona dominated Real Madrid with a stunning 4-0 victory. The highlight of the match was 17-year-old Lamine Yamal becoming the youngest player to ever score in El Clasico history. Barcelona's win put them at the top of La Liga with 30 points, while Madrid fell behind with six points gap due to injury struggles. The Brazilian winger Raphinha also had a stellar performance, scoring a hat-trick midweek in the Champions League and sealing the deal with the fourth goal against Real Madrid.
In a highly anticipated match between Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, it was the former who came out on top with a convincing 4-0 win. Two goals from star striker Robert Lewandowski and additional strikes from Lamine Yamal and Raphinha sealed the deal for Barcelona, who ended Madrid's 42-match unbeaten streak in La Liga. The win also solidified Barcelona's lead at the top of the league standings, showcasing their dominance under coach Hansi Flick. Meanwhile, Los Blancos' star player Kylian Mbappe had a frustrating Clasico debut, with two of his goals disallowed for offside.
Real Madrid faced a crushing defeat against their bitter rivals Barcelona in a LaLiga Clasico match yesterday. Despite playing with intensity in the first half, missed opportunities and two quick goals from Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski in the second half sapped the energy from the Madrid side. Ancelotti expressed his disappointment at the result but added that there is still room for improvement and the season is yet long.
Real Madrid's Brazilian player Vinícius Júnior has been garnering attention for his impressive performances on the field, leading many to believe he will take home the Ballon d'Or award next week. After scoring a hat-trick in a recent Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund, Vini Jr. has solidified his position as a rising star in the world of football. His skills and abilities are setting the bar high for other young players, such as Kylian Mbappé, proving that the Messi-Ronaldo era may finally be coming to an end.
In a thrilling Clasico match, Robert Lewandowski's quickfire brace and goals from Lamine Yamal and Raphinha led Barcelona to a dominant 4-0 victory over rivals Real Madrid. Despite Kylian Mbappe's strong performance, the visitors' high defensive line and relentless attack proved too much for Madrid, ending their unbeaten La Liga streak of 42 games. With coach Hansi Flick's young team making a statement victory, the Catalans showed their superiority and potential to take on any opponent in the world.
Fans of both Barcelona and Real Madrid were treated to an outstanding game today as the Catalan club emerged victorious with a crushing 4-0 win against their arch-rivals at the Bernabeu. Robert Lewandowski scored two goals in three minutes while youngster Lamine Yamal added to the tally, handing Real Madrid their first defeat in 42 LaLiga games. The win solidifies Barcelona's top spot in the league and marks a glorious end to their four consecutive Clasico defeats.