Indian hockey team thrashed Pakistan 4-0 in the last group stage match of the Asian Championship Trophy 2023 on Wednesday, August 9. With their lopsided win, the Harmanpreet Singh-led squad ended their neighbours’ hopes to move further in the tournament a entered the semifinals. However, apart from witnessing a thrilling game between the neighbouring nations, the crowd at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium did their part and boosted the morale of the Indian team in their own way.
The Indian fans are doing their best to show their support for the home team. On Wednesday, the Indian crowd took the exciting game a notch higher and sang the Indian national song ‘Vande Mataram’ to motivate their team. The move by the Indian fans has gone viral on social media, garnering attention from Indian fans across the globe.
Watch the Chennai crowd singing Vande Mataram:
Also read: If Pakistan can come here and play, why can't we?: Hockey India Secretary General
Speaking of the game, Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh opened India’s account with a goal in the first 15 minutes of the game. His second score came eight minutes later, only to add more pressure on the opponents. Notably, India had already secured their berth in the semifinal, but Pakistan needed a win or draw to make it to the next stage.
Ravichandran Ashwin makes an appearance at Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium
The Asian Championship Trophy game on August 9 also saw India’s star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin marking attendance at the stadium. Ashwin recently starred in India’s home-away Test series against West Indies, where the Rohit Sharma side took down their rivals 1-0. Ashwin scalped 12 wickets in the opening Test as well as three wickets in the second game.
