In the fifth and final Test match of the series, the men’s hockey team from India lost in Australia vs India 2-3, completing a 0-5 sweep of the series.
Perth: The Indian men’s hockey team ended a miserable tour here on Saturday by losing 2-3 in the fifth Test in Australia vs India, failing to stave off a 0-5 series sweep.
The Indians had lost their first four games of the series, 1-5, 2-4, 1-2, and 1-3, going into the decisive game. In terms of getting ready for the forthcoming Olympics in Paris, the rubber was important.
India’s goal scorers were skipper Harmanpreet Singh (4th) and Boby Singh Dhami (53rd), while Australia’s scorers were Jeremy Hayward (20th), Ky Willott (38th), and Tim Brand (39th).
The Indians approached the game with an aggressive mentality. In the Australian half, Jarmanpreet Singh was hit by a ball that Jugraj Singh attempted to loft over the forward line but missed.
With his third goal of the series, Harmanpreet’s penalty corner strike gave India the lead in the fourth minute.
In the twentieth minute, Hayward, who scored his eighth goal of the series from a set piece, gave Australia an equalizer.
Suraj Karkera, India’s backup goalkeeper, had a great stop to stop Nathan Ephraums.
Australia won a penalty corner just before the interval, but Suraj Karkera saved India’s blushes with a superb save with his right leg, stopping Hayward.
Following the change of ends, India got off to a quick start and were awarded a penalty in the 37th minute, but Harmanpreet’s flick went wide.
A minute later, Willot gave the Kookaburras the lead again, shocking the visitors when he diverted a pass from Nathan Ephraums that was inch-perfect in front of Indian goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak.
Australia furthered their humiliation of India by taking the lead through an unmarked Brand, who scored after being assisted by Eddie Ockenden.
Though Amit Rohidas’ attempt went wide in the 42nd minute, the Indians had opportunities and were awarded another penalty corner.
Although the Indians played excellent defense, the hosts also had two more penalty corners.
In the last quarter, India intended to make a statement and put pressure on Australia’s defence.
Seven minutes after the whistle, Dhami’s maiden goal for his country was scored with a reverse hit that went past Andrew Charter, rewarding their efforts. Though the visitors pressed hard, the Australian defence didn’t make any more blunders, so it was all India could muster.
“This group has the will to bring back our Olympic legacy,” asserts Shri Ashok Kumar
At the Hockey India 6th Annual Awards, the hockey icon received the Hockey India Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award.
When Shri Ashok Kumar received the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award from Hockey India in March of this year—named for his father, Major Dhyan Chand, a well-known hockey magician—his life had come full circle. He now stands in the esteemed company of past champions, like Gurbux Singh, A S Bakshi, Harbinder Singh, Late Capt. Shankar Laxman, and Balbir Singh Sr.
In the most recent installment of Hockey Te Charcha, a podcast that Hockey India started, Ashok Kumar talked about his feelings after being awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award by Hockey India. He told us stories from his father’s life, Major Dhyan Chand, and took us through the thrilling 1975 World Cup Final versus Pakistan.
In addition, Ashok Kumar described the struggles the current Indian Men’s Hockey Team midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad faced while training with him and what he expected of the team going into the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
“Definitely, such moments when you get awarded for your efforts, when you are recognised, make you feel proud,” Shri Ashok Kumar remarked while discussing the significance of the award. “However, the effect of the award on the people around you and the youngsters in the national team is more important.” I consider myself fortunate to have received this honor in honor of my father, Major Dhyan Chand, who promoted India’s reputation globally. I am fortunate to be standing next to great athletes who have taken home the trophy before me, and I will always view them as superior to me in status.
Although it’s a prestigious prize and among the highest honors in hockey, I place greater significance on my father’s name, Major Dhyan Chand. “My entire family is ecstatic that I’ve joined a unique group of hockey greats and that the Dhyan Chand name will endure in history,” he continued.
Shri Ashok Kumar was a member of the highly esteemed team that defeated Pakistan in the final to win India’s lone World Cup championship in 1975. Although Ashok Kumar had never won a gold medal in his career, he always felt he had to do his best to follow in his father’s footsteps. Prior to the 1975 World Cup, he was the 16th member of the squad, and there was virtually little possibility he would participate. However, as luck would have it, Ashok Kumar scored the last goal to give India a 2-1 triumph over Pakistan.
He reminisced about the Final, saying, “The day before, we went to every temple we could find to pray for our triumph. The stadium was filled to capacity on the day of the Final, but we had prepared as usual. I imagined myself in the game, paying close attention to the mistakes I had made thus far to ensure that I didn’t do them again. Together, BP Govinda and I had a terrific rapport. We determined that if we lost the ball in the last third, one of us would come back to assist recover it, and together we shut off Pakistan’s attack totally.
They did, however, score against the flow of the game. Following a contentious halftime discussion, Surjit Singh equalized with a penalty corner in the forty-fourth minute. Then we let loose with all hell on them. Ajit Pal pushed the ball to me in the circle in the 51st minute. I avoided a few opponents and passed to Victor Philips, who quickly transferred the ball back to me. All I had to do was tap the ball to score and secure our victory. I realized I could now stand proudly in front of my father with a gold medal in hand after the final whistle. I was so happy that I flung my hockey stick into the crowd.
Two of Ashok Kumar’s students, Vivek Sagar Prasad and Nilakanta Sharma, are in the current squad. Following his retirement, Ashok Kumar started mentoring future players. They are currently in Australia getting ready for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
When asked about his hopes for the current Indian Men’s Hockey Team, Ashok Kumar stated, “When I used to play, people were hockey fans, and there was a pride associated with the sport in India.” India has won eight gold medals, a feat no other nation has been able to achieve, and we must do everything in our power to preserve this history.
This group of players has demonstrated cohesiveness and control in recent games, so I think they can succeed. All that remains to be seen is if this team can win and put India on the podium for the ninth time. I’m confident they have what it takes to bring back the country’s former glory.
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