Paris, Aug. 2: The Indian hockey team defeated Australia 3-2 in a pool stage match of the Paris Olympics. This is the first time that India have defeated Australia at the Olympics since 1972. In a closely-fought encounter where India had the upper hand in the first half, they scored their first two goals in the first quarter itself.

Meanwhile, two-time Paris Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker has qualified for the final of a third event, the 25m pistol. The Indian contingent was looking towards the 22-year-old to do the heavy lifting again after a bittersweet day on Thursday, where India won a bronze in shooting but their medal hopefuls like Satwik-Chirag, Nikhat Zareen, and PV Sindhu exited from the Paris Games.

In archery, after mostly disappointments and defeats so far, Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara entered the semi-final of the mixed team event after defeating an Indonesian and a Spanish pair.

In badminton, Lakshya Sen will hope to keep the momentum going. He will take on Chou Tien Chen in the men’s singles quarterfinals. In the Hockey after losing to Belgium, Harmanpreet and co will will be up against their nemesis, Australia.

Our senior reporter Mihir Vasavda is in Paris to cover the Olympics. Please click here to read the Paris 2024 drama unfold through Mihir’s eyes and words. You can also read about why a gender row has erupted after an Italian female boxer quit her bout 46 seconds into the night. Meanwhile, athletes at Paris Olympics are predominantly being served vegan food, learn how this diet can boost performance.-Agencies