Their campaign back on track after a jittery start, India will look to continue the winning momentum when they take on Paris Olympics silver medallist Germany in their next men’s FIH Pro League match here on Tuesday. India had a woeful start to their home leg matches of the Pro League, losing 1-3 to Spain in their opener. But the hosts bounced back strongly to tame Spain 2-0 in the return match on Sunday. With three points from two games, India are currently sitting in eighth place in the standings and will be desperate to climb up the table.

After a relatively off day on Saturday, the Indians looked a completely different side on Sunday, dominating for most part of the match and scoring two field goals through Mandeep Singh (32nd minute) and Dilpreet Singh (39th) to pocket all three points.

While the strikers shone bright in the second game, India’s chief coach Craig Fulton would be a bit concerned about penalty corner conversions.

Despite winning seven penalty corners across their two games, India failed to convert a single chance.

In the absence of India captain Harmanpreet Singh, who was rested for the second match, Hockey India League star performer Jugraj Singh cut a sorry figure from set pieces.

The forwardline comprising Dilpreet , Mandeep and Sukhjeet Singh have each netted a goal for India so far in the tournament and will be looking to add to their tally against Germany.

The Indian defence produced a much-better display in the second game, and were able to absorb pressure from the Spanish strikers.

Germany, who will be playing their first match of the India leg, are placed just above India in seventh place with four points from as many games and will be determined to turn their fortunes around.

Although Germany have won only one match in the tournament so far, their attack has been spearheaded by Raphael Hartkopf, Gonzalo Peillat, and Thies Prinz, who have scored two goals each.

Germany will aim to turn around their struggling campaign and secure vital points.

The two sides last met during a two-match Test series in New Delhi in October 2024, where Germany won the first game 2-0, but India bounced back in the second with a thrilling 5-3 victory.

However, Germany went on to claim the series through a shootout win.

Speaking on the upcoming matches, Harmanpreet said, “We are looking forward to our games against Germany. They are a quality team, and we know we need to bring our best performance to the field.

“After the positive result against Spain, our confidence is high, but we know there’s still work to be done. One of our main focuses is improving our penalty corner conversion, as it’s crucial to make the most of those opportunities in tight matches.” “The team is motivated and ready to build on the momentum from our last game. We’ve learned from both the matches, and we’re determined to bring our best performance to the field,” he added. 

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Hardik Singh in action© X (Twitter)

India vs Germany Live Telecast Hockey Live Streaming: Where To Watch© X (Twitter)

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India vs Germany Live Telecast Hockey Live Streaming© Hockey India

India captain Harmanpreet Singh became the most expensive player on day one of the Hockey India League auction, with Soorma Hockey Club snapping the star drag-flicker for Rs 78 lakh on Sunday. All eight franchises spent heavily to acquire the services of Indian men’s hockey team core players. Abhishek became the second-most expensive buy, acquired by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for Rs 72 lakh, while Hardik Singh went to UP Rudras for Rs 70 lakh. Other notable buys from the first lot included Amit Rohidas, who went to Tamil Nadu Dragons for Rs 48 lakh while Jugraj Singh was also purchased for the same amount by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers.

Hyderbad Toofans roped in Sumit for Rs 46 lakh.

In all, 54 players, including 18 overseas players were sold on Sunday.

All eight franchises spent a total of Rs 16 crore 88 lakh 50 thousand on Day 1.

Germany’s Gonzalo Peillat was the most expensive overseas player as he was bought for Rs 68 lakh by Tamil Nadu Dragons. Netherlands’ Jip Janssen was also acquired by Tamil Nadu Dragons for Rs 54 lakh.

Among the overseas goalkeepers, Ireland’s David Harte was the top buy, with Tamil Nadu Dragons winning the bid for Rs 32 lakh.

Germany’s Jean-Paul Danneberg (for Rs 27 lakh to Hyderabad Toofans), the Netherlands’ Pirmin Blaak (for Rs 25 lakh to Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers), and Belgium’s Vincent Vanasch (for Rs 23 lakh to Soorma Hockey Club) also went under the hammer.

Indian goalkeepers Suraj Karkera and and Pawan were acquired by Team Gonasika and Delhi SG Pipers for Rs 22 lakh and Rs 15 lakh respectively.

List of top five buys on Day 1: 1. Harmanpreet Singh (IND) – Soorma Hockey Club – Rs 78 lakh 2. Abhishek (IND) – Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – Rs 72 lakh 3. Hardik Singh (IND) – UP Rudras – Rs 70 lakh 4. Gonzalo Peillat (GER) – Hyderabad Toofans – Rs 68 lakh 5. Jip Janssen (NED) – Tamil Nadu Dragons – Rs 54 lakh

Other players sold on Day 1: 1. Gurjant Singh – Soorma Hockey Club – Rs 19 lakh 2. Mandeep Singh – Team Gonasika – Rs 25 lakh 3. Manpreet Singh – Team Gonasika – Rs 42 lakh 4. Sukhjeet Singh – Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – Rs 42 lakh 5. Amit Rohidas – Tamil Nadu Dragons – Rs 48 lakh 6. Nilakanta Sharma- Hyderabad Toofans – Rs 34 lakh 7. Sanjay – Kalinga Lancers – Rs 38 lakh 8. Lalit Kumar Upadhyay – UP Rudras – Rs 28 lakh 9. Vivek Sagar Prasad – Soorma Hockey Club – Rs 40 lakh 10. Sumit – Hyderabad Toofans – Rs 46 lakh 11. Jugraj Singh – Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – Rs 48 lakh 12. Krishan B Pathak – Kalinga Lancers – Rs 32 lakh 13. Shamsher Singh – Delhi SG Pipers – Rs 42 lakh 14. Jarmanpreet Singh – Delhi SG Pipers – Rs 40 lakh 15. Rajkumar Pal – Delhi SG Pipers – Rs 40 lakh 16. David Harte (IRL) – Tamil Nadu Dragons – Rs 32 lakh 17. Jean-Paul Danneberg (GER) – Hyderabad Toofans – Rs 27 lakh 18. Oliver Payne (GBR) – Team Gonasika – Rs 15 lakh 19. Pirmin Blaak (NED) – Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – Rs 25 lakh 20. Tomas Santiago (ARG) – Delhi SG Pipers – Rs 10 lakh 21. Vincent Vanasch (BEL) – Soorma Hockey Club – Rs 23 lakh 22. Suraj Karkera – Team Gonasika – Rs 22 lakh 23. Pawan – Delhi SG Pipers – Rs 15 lakh.

Purse remaining for franchises: 1. Hyderabad Toofans – Rs 204.00 lakh 2. Soorma Hockey Club – Rs 162.00 lakh 3. Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – Rs 144.50 lakh 4. Delhi SG Pipers – Rs 181.00 lakh 5. Tamil Nadu Dragons – Rs 196.00 lakh 6. UP Rudras – Rs 206.00 lakh 7. Kalinga Lancers – Rs 257.00 lakh 8. Team Gonasika – Rs 161.00 lakh. PTI APA PDS PDS DDV

The Indian hockey team has been on a slow but steady rise since winning the bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games. At the 2024 Paris Olympics too, India played brilliantly till the semi-finals but faltered in the last four stage. However, India rose to the challenge in the bronze medal match to beat Spain 2-1. In the recently concluded Asian Champions Trophy, they won the gold medal, beating China in the final. If the Indian hockey team continues in the same vein, a gold medal at the Olympics may be a reality too at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. 

Before that, let’s focus on what happened after the Paris Olympics. Hardik Singh was an important member of that squad and has an issue with the Olympic medal itself.  

“The medal had iron from the Eiffel Tower, we were told, I hope its true. They had one job of making a good quality medal which is not the case. No problem. Still, I would say this is my biggest achievement,” Hardik Singh said on Oversharing With The Jhumroo podcast.  

What was the first feeling you had when you held the medal in your hand? 

“I am used to the feeling,” he joked. “I have also made tattoo of the Olympic rings. I have kept it incomplete. My wish is when I win the gold medal next time, I will complete it.”

Recently, India’s hockey midfielder Hardik Singh revealed how a few of his teammates once found fans showing more interest in clicking selfies with social media personality Dolly Chaiwala while failing to even recognise them.

“I saw it with my own eyes, at the airport. Harmanpreet (Singh), I, Mandeep (Singh); there were 5-6 of us. Dolly chaiwala was also there. People were getting themselves clicked with him and did not recognize us. We started looking at each other (feeling awkward),” said the 26-year-old Hardik on a podcast.

“Harmanpreet has scored more than 150 goals, Mandeep has more than 100 field goals,” he asserted, painting a disappointing picture of the country’s obsession with internet stars.

India remains a cricket-loving nation where getting recognition for athletes from other sports remains tough. Though sports like hockey, badminton, athletics, etc. have gained prominence over the last few years, the non-cricketing sportspersons still remain unknown, barring a handful of popular names. Sharing a disappointing incident narrating India’s current sporting scenario, India’s hockey midfielder Hardik Singh revealed how a few of his teammates once found fans showing more interest in clicking selfies with social media personality Dolly Chaiwala while failing to even recognise them.

The Indian hockey team has done very well in the sport on the international level in recent times. They won back-to-back bronze medals in the Olympic Games – first in Tokyo then in Paris. In the recently concluded Asian Champions Trophy, they won the gold medal, beating China in the final. Let, fame and recognition seem to be missing from their lives.

“I saw it with my own eyes, at the airport. Harmanpreet (Singh), I, Mandeep (Singh); there were 5-6 of us. Dolly chaiwala was also there. People were getting themselves clicked with him and did not recognize us. We started looking at each other (feeling awkward),” said the 26-year-old Hardik on a podcast.

“Harmanpreet has scored more than 150 goals, Mandeep has more than 100 field goals,” he asserted, painting a disappointing picture of the country’s obsession with internet stars.

Dolly chaiwala shot to fame, thanks to his unique way of making tea. Soon he became a social media sensation, and has even gone on to serve tea to Bill Gates. But, despite winning back-to-back medals at the grandest of stages – the Olympic Games – India’s hockey stars are struggling to get the recognition they deserve.

“For an athlete, fame and money is one thing. But when people are watching you and appreciating you, there is no bigger satisfaction than that for an athlete,” said Hardik, feeling proud about his 142 international caps so far.

India men’s hockey team in action© X (Twitter)