Manpreet & Co look to begin on perfect note

Birmingham, July 30

In search of an elusive Commonwealth Games gold, the Indian men’s hockey team will look to start its campaign on a rousing note against a lowly Ghana in its opening Pool B match here tomorrow.

The phenomenal success at last year’s Olympics in Tokyo, where India clinched a historic medal after 41 years, has ignited hopes that the Manpreet Singh-led team will stop the Australian juggernaut.

Australia’s dominance at the CWG is enviable as the world No. 1 have been the most dominant force in the event’s history, having won all six gold medals till date.

The competition at the CWG is pretty tough though, and besides Australia, the Indians will have to get the better of teams like New Zealand, England, Pakistan and Canada to achieve their goal. Tomorrow’s match would be the first between India and Ghana since the 1975 men’s World Cup, when India won 7-0.

Head coach Graham Reid said adapting to the conditions had been a little tough for the side. “It’s surprisingly cold here. We focused on getting accustomed to the pitch, the playing conditions, and getting ourselves adapted to the surroundings,” he added. — PTI

Navjot Kaur to fly back home

India midfielder Navjot Kaur’s campaign at the Commonwealth Games came to an abrupt end as she is set to fly back home after testing positive for Covid. The 27-year-old had been in isolation for the past two days. Sonika replaces her in the 18-member Indian women’s squad.