India have been clubbed with Olympic champions Belgium, mighty Australia, Rio Games gold medallist Argentina, New Zealand and Ireland.
India mauled minnows Thailand 13-0 to register their third consecutive win at the women's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Rajgir, Bihar on Thursday.
The Asian Champions Trophy victory has boosted India's morale ahead of the Olympic Qualifiers, according to captain Savita, who expressed confidence in the side's experienced players to help the women's hockey team qualify for the Paris Games.
Toppo is a product of the Sports Hostel, Panposh, Rourkela. She first represented her state team in 2007 and her performances in domestic competitions saw her getting selected for U-18 Girls Asia Cup in Bangkok, Thailand in 2011 where India won a bronze medal. She was first selected to represent the senior national team in 2012 in the FIH Champions Challenge I in Dublin.
Trailing by two goals, Spain pressed on the accelerator, earning a couple of penalty corners in the final quarter but the Indian defence stood tall in the absence of skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who was rested for the game.
Three-time champions India defeated hosts Malaysia 4-2 to continue their unbeaten run at the Sultan of Johor Cup junior men's hockey tournament in Johor Bahru on Tuesday.
The Indian men's hockey coach Harendra Singh is determined to seal India's 2020 Olympic berth in the upcoming Asian Games as he feels it will give the eight-time winners ample time to become realistic medal contenders in Tokyo.
Sreejesh set to become India junior coach
The inexperienced Indian team meet Pakistan in the last match of the four-Test series on Friday.
A personal tragedy led Boby Singh Dhami to pick up the hockey stick; and looking back, he believes everything happens for a reason.
India's newly-appointed men's hockey chief coach Graham Reid took charge of the national camp in Bengaluru and asked his players to put the team first in his maiden address to them.
India's star hockey player Rani Rampal has become the first woman in the sport to have a stadium named after her, in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh.
Women's HIL: Odisha Warriors beat Soorma Hockey Club in shootout
Harmanpreet Singh led from the front as he converted two penalty corners to hand unbeaten India a close 2-1 victory over Pakistan.
Indian women's team captain Salima Tete can't wait for the upcoming Hockey India League as she feels that the event will help shape the careers of young players and build a strong bench strength for the national team.
Despite the loss, the Tamil Nadu Dragons held on to the top spot in the points table with 17 points from nine games.
The Indian men's hockey team on Thursday continued their winning run at the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, defeating the 2018 Asian Games Gold medallist Japan 4-2 in their third Pool A match.
'The design of the logo of this competition is a symbol of the rich cultural heritage and all-round progress of glorious Bihar.'
Since hockey's introduction at Commonwealth Games 24 years ago, World No.1 Australia have been the most dominant force, having won all six gold medals till date.
Rajpal Singh and experienced forward Surinder Kaur will lead India's challenge in the men's and women's hockey events respectively at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, from November 12-27. Both teams leave for the quadrennial Games on Friday.
Indian junior women's hockey team goes down against Germany
"I am fortunate to be part of this important tournament and it becomes more special as I will be playing along with my brother Devindar Walmiki. This is like a dream come true as we always spoke about representing the country together and this dream is soon to get realised."
Hockey India has announced a 24-member Indian men's team for the European leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League, set to be played in Amstelveen, Netherlands and Antwerp, Belgium, from June 7.
Shilanand finally made his way back into the national team and on Thursday, not only provided a superb assist but also scored a goal with a lovely deflection in India's 4-1 win over Malaysia in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup.
Harmanpreet, Sreejesh shortlisted for FIH Hockey Stars Awards
'No opponent takes us lightly anymore and they talk about us as a team that does well in knockouts' 'We not only focus on improving individually but also encourage each other and tell ourselves that we need to perform as a unit to leave a mark at the Olympics this time'
The 32-year-old also lauded the mental fortitude of the side as it defended with 10 players for close to 42 minutes against Britain in the quarter-final after Amit Rohidas was shown a contentious red card.
India clubbed with Egypt, Switzerland, Jamaica in inaugural Men's Hockey5s World Cup
Mandaviya addresses state of Indian football
Skipper Harmanpreet fired a hat-trick but India were far from impressive in their narrow 4-3 win over lower-ranked China in their Asia Cup opener, in Rajgir, Bihar, on Friday.
Shooter Manu Bhaker won two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics while Gukesh was crowned the World Chess Champion in Singapore, last month.
'Now we are giving them a reason to pick up hockey, play the game and make the country more proud than this'
India are a formidable hockey side in their own den but if the erstwhile giants of the game want to play in their second consecutive Commonwealth Games final they will need to overcome challenges away from home, feels Australia hockey legend Jamie Dwyer.
Former Sindh governor Mohammad Zubair also lashed out, alleging Naqvi dropped Pakistan's top players, leading to team's three consecutive defeats at the hands of arch-rivals India.
The General Assembly of Commonwealth Sport will decide the host country in the last week of November in Glasgow.
A bronze medal finish is not what hockey coach Craig Fulton had wanted, but the South African will relish the achievement simply for the fact that "underdog India" lifted themselves up from disappointments when no one gave them a chance.
'I'm proud of my Indian connection. Why shouldn't I be?'
Maintaining a clean slate, favourites India will fancy their chances when they take on a below-par but unpredictable Korea in the semifinals of the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Hulunbuir, China on Monday.
Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh will lead an 18-member squad as India sets out to defend its crown in the eighth Asia Cup hockey tournament in Kuantan, Malaysia from May 9 to 16.
A day after his dramatic announcement to quit, Terry Walsh decided to continue as India's chief hockey coach after the country's top sports officials assured him that his concerns will be addressed in a fresh contract.
