ROURKELA: The moment the umpire blew his whistle, pointing both his index fingers towards the goal, the 10,000-strong crowd erupted in excitement at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium. The enthusiasm was for one sole reason: Soorma Hockey Club had been awarded a penalty corner (PC), meaning Harmanpreet Singh would be taking the drag-flick.
The crowd became louder as Harmanpreet Singh, who turns 29 on Monday, laid his sharp eyes on the pusher's stick, bending his back at the top of the D. In came the ball, swish went the flick and a lot of 'oohs!' as he missed the chance.
The three-time FIH Player of the Year is clearly the biggest name in Indian hockey at the moment, which was missing a star-like figure. With Harmanpreet emerging as the pre-eminent face of Indian hockey, that position is no longer vacant with thousands staying back after the match to get a glimpse of the two-time Olympic bronze medallist.
On a chilly Thursday evening, Harmanpreet was running a temperature, had a cough and cold but still turned out for the Hockey India League (HIL) contest against UP Rudras after popping a couple of pills.
It is the same devotion to the sport that made him the sixth hockey player to be chosen for India's highest sports honour, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, after Dhanraj Pillay, Sardar Singh, Rani Rampal, Manpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh.
Denne historien er fra January 04, 2025-utgaven av Hindustan Times Mumbai.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 04, 2025-utgaven av Hindustan Times Mumbai.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Why You Should Use Vitamin C Serum in Winter
Winter's cold, dry air can leave your skin dull, dehydrated and prone to issues like irritation and ageing.
CBI Adds Graft Charges in Mahadev Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a corruption and cheating case in connection with the Mahadev online betting app scandal, people familiar with developments said on Monday, roughly four months after the Chhattisgarh government asked the agency to probe the larger conspiracy and role of public servants in a case where former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel was earlier named.
End of One-Size-Fits-All: Obesity Diagnosis Enters New Era Sans BMI Limits
Experts say factors such as age, comorbidities, muscle mass and gender should be considered, too, when defining obesity
China Executes 62-Year-Old Who Killed 35 in Zhuhai Car Rampage
China on Monday executed a man who killed 35 people in a car rampage in the southern city of Zhuhai in November, in the country's deadliest mass attack in years.
The bovine beliefs of a man of science
Veezhinathan Kamakoti loves cows. More so if they are indigenous breeds. He also believes that cow urine has medicinal value. As a private individual, he has every right to stick to his beliefs, which are derived from faith-based claims rather than evidence provided by modern science.
SC Grants Centre Till Mar 18 To Decide On Rajoana's Mercy Plea
The Supreme Court on Monday gave a \"last chance\" to the Centre to decide by March 18 on the long-pending mercy plea of Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted in the 1995 assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh.
Turf questions in CCI's Meta order
CCI HAD IMPOSED A ₹213 CRORE PENALTY ON META FOR ALLEGEDLY ABUSING ITS DOMINANT POSITION
No mascara, no problem: That's 2025's hottest beauty trend
Even the best mascaras take a little effort to remove — but what if skipping them altogether became the hottest beauty trend of 2025? Enter the effortlessly chic full-face, no-mascara look.
India Set To Host 2025 Fide World Cup From Oct 31
India is all set to host possibly the most important chess tournament of the year, the Fide World Cup.
We have no time to stand and stare
THIS IS KNOWN AS LEISURE GUILT. A FEELING OF NEGATIVITY WHEN SPENDING TIME ON LEISURE, INSTEAD OF BEING PRODUCTIVE
