While cricket remains the most popular sport in the country, hockey continues to have a dedicated fan base, particularly during major tournaments. For the record, the Indian men’s hockey team won as many as 6 consecutive gold medals at the Olympics from 1928 to 1956. As the decades progressed, the Indian women’s hockey team has been making strides and relishing notable successes on the big stage. They have been actively taking part in several international tournaments such as the Hockey World Cup, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and FIH Hockey World League.
Notably, they performed well in the Asian Games, winning medals, including a gold medal in the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi. The Indian women’s hockey team has participated in the Olympic Games. In recent years, they have shown some improvement and qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Notably, they had a historic performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, reaching the semifinals, and securing a place in the top four before clinching a bronze medal by defeating Australia.
MS Dhoni roots for India women’s hockey team during Olympic qualifiers
Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni made the headlines after he attended the India vs Germany women’s hockey semis match in Ranchi. The veteran was spotted rooting for the Women in Blue in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers’ semifinal fixture. A picture of Captain Cool being honoured at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi during the match spread like wildfire on social media.
MS Dhoni attended the India Vs Germany women's hockey Semis match. pic.twitter.com/pLH2oyL1A0
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 18, 2024
https://twitter.com/OfficialSivani/status/1748005743561982294
Football-Cricket-Hockey❤️ pic.twitter.com/uq7Y1uUCwc
— Cartoon Cricket Council (@cccseries) January 18, 2024
Mahi and his love for sports 🔥🔥
— Secular Chad (@SachabhartiyaRW) January 18, 2024
https://twitter.com/CrickettFanGirl/status/1747991780707225647
Indian Women gave absolutely everything in the contest but Germany Women had the last laugh in the battle after prevailing in the penalty shootout. Earlier, in the game, India and Germany put up a great fight before both teams levelled at 2-2 at full-time, leading to a penalty shootout. India lost to Germany by 3-4 in the penalty shootout. Indian Women will lock horns with Japan Women in a must-win match for third place and the left-out Olympic spot and it remains to be seen how the Women in Blue will approach the upcoming game.
