It was history in the making as Team India went onto beat Australia in a closely-contested cliff-hanger in the final pool-stage hockey fixture of their Paris Olympics 2024 campaign, and in the processed put an end to a 52-year winless drought against the silver-medallists of the Tokyo games. It needed a superlative display to fend off the Australian forces and PR Sreejesh, India’s seasoned custodian who is playing his last tournament, delivered a gilt-edged performance to see the Blue contingent through.

Abhishek opened the scoring for Team India as he found the back of the net in the 12th minute, setting the stage for what would be a spirited performance from the Men in Blue. The Indian captain soon followed suit, smashing home the second for the team through a low rocket of a Penalty Corner as the Team India fans roared in the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium on Friday.

Eventually, it was the Indian skipper again who powered home a powerful penalty stroke to edge past the mighty Aussies. The second-half saw Australia firing on all cylinders. Eventually after a belligerent spell of play, it was in the 25th minute that Australia’s Thomas Craig managed to flip home a penalty corner to reduce the deficit.

Despite conceding a second from the spot as Blaker Govers hammered home an incredible strike on the 55th minute, the Indian defenders spearheaded by Sreejesh under the sticks ensured the fact that the Men in Blue are qualifying for the quarter-finals, grabbing the second position in the group.

India will be playing their quarter-final clash tomorrow against Great Britain.