Author: Gargi Raut

Hockey action returned to the national capital at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium after a decade long break. The much-anticipated India versus Germany bilateral series kicked off on Wednesday. However, the series didn’t start on a bright note for the home side. India lost to the reigning World Champions and Paris Olympics silver medalist, 2-0. Despite several penalty corner opportunities and a penalty stroke, India couldn’t find the back of the net. Not many fans showed up for the clash. The low attendance can be explained by the fact that the game was played on a weekday and in…

Naturally, when you imagine a conversation with a two-time Olympic gold medallist, it’s easy to expect talk about the medals, the celebrations and the exhilaration that comes with winning. But with Valarie Allman, you’re more likely to get a perspective into embracing failure and the importance of learning from those moments. A journey that started with something as simple as a high school spaghetti dinner is one worth knowing. When asked about the importance of her journey, the obstacles and challenges, Allman replied with an air of wisdom: “The best thing you can do is embrace failure or hardship,…

Only a select few on this planet know the agony of coming within striking distance of an Olympics medal twice, only to watch it slip away again. One such person is Chirag Shetty, one half of India’s most celebrated badminton duo. The superstar pair were just steps away from Olympic glory in Paris when the dream came crashing down at the quarterfinals against Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. Chirag, an otherwise showman on the court, seemed to carry a new air of composure that hadn’t been seen before. Whether it came from the grief of losing an Olympic…

Akhil Sheoran’s journey from Olympic heartbreak to standing on the podium at the ISSF World Cup 2024 has been nothing short of remarkable. Securing the bronze in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event, Sheoran candidly reflected on his comeback, revealing the mental and emotional shift that helped him reframe his career. “What’s gone is gone” When asked about the journey from his Olympic disappointment to his latest success, Sheoran spoke with clarity. Sheoran had made the Olympic quota but failed to qualify for the finals at the Olympics. “There’s not much to talk about; I’ve had enough time to…

Indian hockey icon Rani Rampal has taken on a new role as a coach of the Soorma Hockey Club, a major step in her career after announcing her retirement. In an exclusive interview, Rampal shared her thoughts on the ongoing Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) auction and her personal journey as she transitions from player to coach. This auction marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time a women’s hockey league is being hosted by the HIL. Rampal expressed her excitement about the launch of the women’s league, a long-awaited development that could shape the future of women’s…

Indian hockey legend and junior national team coach PR Sreejesh spoke candidly about the latest developments from Day 2 of the Hockey India League (HIL) auction, sharing his excitement over the new recruits and shedding light on his vision for the future of Indian hockey. With the overseas player quota now full, Sreejesh was particularly pleased with the domestic talent they were able to secure. He expressed satisfaction with his picks, saying, “Ankit and Rohit, they’re from the under-21 team. Being the coach of that team, I think they should be at the top level. Jarmanpreet as well—can’t believe we…

India’s hopes of making it to the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 hang by a thread after New Zealand’s dominant eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. New Zealand have climbed to the third place in Group A, maintaining a net run rate (NRR) of +0.282. This means India’s final group-stage match against defending champions Australia will be nothing short of a must-win contest if they are to keep their campaign alive. New Zealand’s Win Keeps Them in the Race Against Sri Lanka, New Zealand cruised to victory, chasing a modest target of 116 with confidence.…

India’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup are hanging by a thread. Despite winning one of their two matches so far, their chances of qualification are uncertain, particularly after their disappointing loss to New Zealand in their tournament opener. Currently, the Indian women’s team sits with the second-worst net run rate (NRR) in Group A and must secure victories in their remaining matches against Sri Lanka and Australia by substantial margins to stand a chance of finishing in the top two of their group. In Group A, India are competing against formidable opponents – New…

In a commanding performance, Australia Women claimed a convincing 60-run victory over New Zealand Women, extending their remarkable streak to 13 consecutive wins in T20 World Cups. This emphatic win has also catapulted Australia to the top of the Group A standings. Captain Alyssa Healy won the toss and chose to bat first. The Australian openers quickly set the tone in the Powerplay, with Healy, who survived an early LBW scare thanks to a successful review, showcasing some elegant strokes on her way to a score of 26. However, her dismissal by Rosemary Mair in the final over of the…

India made a confident start in the T20 series against Bangladesh, cruising to a convincing seven-wicket win in the first match with 49 balls to spare. After a stellar bowling performance that restricted Bangladesh to just 127 runs, the Men in Blue chased down the target with relative ease. Bangladesh Face Early Setbacks Winning the toss, India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav opted to bowl first, a decision that paid off handsomely. Right from the start, Arshdeep Singh set the tone with his fiery spell. He struck early, sending Litton Das packing for just four runs and then quickly followed…