Paris Olympics: Play fearlessly, says Ashok Dhyanchand to hockey players

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 Dhyanchand, 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. Th