"Aura Has Faded But...": Dhyan Chand's Son Sends Message To India Hockey Team Ahead Of Paris Olympics

The Indian hockey team has been handed an unenviable draw at the Paris Olympics and the legendary Ashok Dhyanchand reckons that the players will have to play "fearlessly" and "without pre-conceived notions" to negotiate the challenge. India had clinched a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 under Manpreet Singh to break a nearly four-decade-long jinx. There are huge expectations from Harmanpreet and Co. to achieve success in Paris. But India's performance over the last few months, especially against Australia and in the Pro League, has become the talking point as the team heads into the Games, commencing in less than a week's time.

Ashok, the son of the hockey wizard Dhyan Chand, conceded that India will have its hands full, but added that if they are able to control their nerves at crucial junctures, they would be successful.

India have Australia, Belgium, Argentina, Ireland and New Zealand in their group.

"They have always given us a tough fight. The pool is very tough. The team must play with a fresh mind. They are capable and they have the capability," said Ashok during a panel discussion on India's preparations for Paris Olympics on Friday.

India recently lost a five-Test series in Australia, while the European leg of the Pro League, which was billed as extremely crucial for Olympic preparations, too didn't go as planned with the team finishing seventh among nine participating countries.

"I hope they play fearlessly and with a fresh mind, otherwise definitely the pool is hard. Also, they need to control their nerves at those particular (crucial) times. Let the mind work according to the situation," was Ashok's advice to the Harmanpreet-led side.

"For the athletes, it should only be a match where they can