The prolific drag-flicker said the series would be an opportunity to test the team further after its title-winning run in the Asian Champions Trophy in China earlier this month.
'I feel both deserve to be honoured with Bharat Ratna. Why not? They are our national heroes who have been inspiring a generation of sportspersons and will continue to do so'
Modi said India is blessed with immense sporting talent, and to harness this potential, a portal was launched by the Sports Ministry.
Former national hockey player and Member of Parliament Dilip Tirkey on Sunday backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's praise for Major Dhyan Chand and said the hockey wizard should be given Bharat Ratna-country's highest civilian award.
Shami was there to receive the honours. He took 24 wickets in seven World Cup games last year.
'But looking at our current performance, I'm confident that a medal in the World Cup is not far off.'
India on Friday officially submitted its proposal to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marking a significant step in its ambition to bring the multi-sport event back to the country after two decades.
After retiring from international hockey in 2012, Abbas kept a low profile. He took up his first coaching role as an assistant coach for penalty corners with the Malaysia national team in October 2024.
Images from the two semi-final encounters of the 12th World Cup Hockey in New Delhi on Thursday.
Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday praised star pacer Mohammed Shami and para-archer Sheetal Devi after being honoured with the Arjuna Award in Delhi.
Men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet, under whose leadership India won a second successive bronze medal at the Olympics, said the honour is a recognition of his "fascinating" journey in which he still has plenty more to achieve.
Top Organising Committee officials are visiting the various Commonwealth Games venues to take stock of the preparation and check delays in the construction work.
The Indian hockey team on Wednesday, rejected Hockey India's cash reward for winning the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy, saying the paltry amount of Rs 25000 each was not proper recognition of their achievement.
Hockey India on Thursday selected 34 probables for the seventh FIH Women's Champions Challenge I tournament at Dublin, Ireland after a two-day selection trials at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.
Sharath is the lone Khel Ratna award recipient, 25 sportspersons, including shuttlers Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, woman boxer Nikhat Zareen, track and field athletes Eldhose Paul and Avinash Sable, were conferred with the Arjuna Award.
Following is the Commonwealth Games schedule of Day 5.
Former captain Rajpal Singh got the axe as Hockey India named an 18-member squad for the London Olympics qualifier, to be held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, in Delhi, from February 18 to 26. Experienced midfielders Vikram Pillay and Arjun Halappa also failed to find a place in the squad, which will be led by goalkeeper Bharat Chetri.
Top-ranked India opens its campaign against Italy on the opening day of the first hockey Olympic Qualifying tournament in New Delhi, from February 18-26, next year.
The Sports Ministry has given Hockey India clearance to host the 33rd FIH Champions Trophy and next year's Olympic qualifying tournament.
Italy has replaced Egypt in the men's London Olympics qualifying hockey tournament, to be held here in February next year.
India coach Jose Brasa on Monday lashed out at tournament director Ken Read for slapping Shivendra Singh with a three-match suspension for an "unintentional" foul against a Pakistani player during their hockey World Cup opener at Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Monday.
After initial delay, the inaugural Hockey India League will take off on January 14 with Delhi Waveriders taking on Jaypee Punjab Warriors in the opening clash of the event that will go on till February 10.
After India crashed out of the reckoning in the Junior Men's Hockey World Cup on Tuesday following a 3-3 draw against Korea in their last pool match, a disappointed chief coach Greg Clark rued that his wards 'gave away' the match.
The rising stars of Indian hockey will be under immense pressure but they would aim to rise above it and make a positive start in the Junior Men's World Cup when they take on a formidable Netherlands in their opening tie, in New Delhi on Friday.
Wednesday's schedule of events at the Commonwealth Games [IST].
Tuesday's schedule of events at the Commonwealth Games [IST].
Dragflicker Sandeep Singh converted two penalty corners to help India inflict a 3-1 defeat on England in their second practice match ahead of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi on Tuesday.
It was 'Sandeep Mania' at its peak with a near-capacity crowd cheering ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh as he did a 'high-five' to fulfill India's London Dreams at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi on Sunday.
Hockey India announced a 18-member women's squad for the London Olympic qualifiers, to be held at the Major Dhyan Chand National stadium, New Delhi from February 18.
Former captain Rajpal Singh has questioned Hockey India's decision to rule him "unfit" for the Olympic qualifiers without even conducting his fitness test.
A dominant India continued their winning spree, outclassing China 4-0 to register their fourth consecutive victory in the men's competition of the Hero Hockey World League Round 2 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday.
Hockey India has derecognised Air India as its associate member with immediate effect due to non-payment of membership fee.
A lacklustre India had to sweat it out before pipping Ireland 3-2 for their third consecutive win in the men's competition of the Hero Hockey World League at the floodlit Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.
Jaspreet Kaur and Rani Rampal scored a hat-trick each to help Indian eves thrash minnows Kazakhstan 8-0 in their opening match of the Hockey World League Round 2 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.
India's disastrous hockey World Cup campaign ended with a 2-4 defeat to Argentina, consigning them to eighth place in the mega-event, in Delhi, on Friday.
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has barred Sports Minister Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani from attending the opening ceremony of the hockey World Cup in Delhi, according to a media report in Islamabad, on Saturday. Jakhrani was scheduled to visit India to attend the opening ceremony of the World Cup and also watch the match between India and Pakistan at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Sunday.
Eyeing to clinch its maiden medal in the Commonwealth Games, the Indian men's hockey team will start as favourites against a tricky Malaysia in their opening pool A encounter at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.
Gurpreet Singh struck a brace as Pune Strykers notched up a 3-1 victory over hosts Delhi Wizards in their second match of the World Series Hockey tournament at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday.
Italy defeated Ukraine 2-1 while Canada saw off Poland 1-0 in the women's hockey qualifier for the London Olympics at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium, in Delhi, on Wednesday.
Indian eves continued their winning run with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Poland in their third match of the qualifier for the London Olympics, at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium, in New Delhi on Tuesday.
