For the 15 hockey players, who come mostly from one of the most backward, Maoist-affected areas of Jharkhand, hardships and setbacks are part of the landscape.
An explosive knock from Klaasen (81) powered South Africa to a four-wicket win over India in the second T20I of the five-match series at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday.
Antwerp [Belgium], June 11 (ANI): Sensational effort by experienced India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and an on-target attack in a thrilling shootout saw the Indian men's hockey team defeat Olympic Champions Belgium 5-4 in the FIH Hockey Pro League match here in Antwerp on Saturday.
The Blue Tigers who beat Cambodia in their first match on Wednesday could take a giant step towards confirming their presence in next year's AFC Asian Cup finals with a victory on Saturday.
Punjab rode on Bharath Thakur's brace to upset favourites Uttar Pradesh 3-1 in a thrilling final. Odisha bagged the bronze medal by hammering Jharkhand 8-0.
The Blue Tigers played 776 passes among themselves with 705 accurate passes, as India beat Cambodia 2-0, both goals coming in from Sunil Chhetri - one in each half. There were also 24 shots on the rival goal.