R Ashwin leaves Indian Hockey star PR Sreejesh speechless with his gesture during India vs Pakistan Asian Champions Trophy match

India thrashed arch-rivals Pakistan 4-0.

R Ashwin leaves Indian Hockey star PR Sreejesh speechless with his gesture during India vs Pakistan Asian Champions Trophy match

PR Sreejesh, R Ashwin (Images via Hockey India Twitter)

As India took on arch-rivals Pakistan in their last league game of the Asian Champions Trophy 2023, Team India cricketer R Ashwin also attended the match. Ashwin was one of the dignitaries invited to attend the big-ticket game at Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai. It was then the cricketer floored India’s goalkeeper PR Sreejesh with his gesture. 

As the cricketer walked out onto the pitch with Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin, FIH president Tayyab Ikram, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey and some of the other big names from the state, R Ashwin waited to meet Sreejesh while others left. The two then also exchanged a hug and Sreejesh could not forget the moment even after the game was over.

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When he was asked about his chat with Ashwin, Sreejesh cracked a joke that they called each other veterans. “Veterans now!” said Sreejesh to the Times of India. “It was a great gesture from him. He is a legend, such a senior player, current international team member, and still he recognized me,” Sreejesh added. “He came to say hi. It’s something I can cherish for my lifetime because nobody does that. Seriously.”

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Jay Shah lauds Indian Hockey team as they thrash Pakistan 4-0 

India vs Pakistan Hockey
Indian Hockey team celebrates victory over Pakistan (Images via Hockey India Twitter)

Coming to the match, it was a great last league game for the hosts as Harmanpreet Singh-led India thrashed the arch-rivals 4-0. The captain scored a brace while Jugraj Singh and Akashdeep Singh scored a goal each. As India registered a thumping win, there was a wave of joy in the country and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah took the opportunity to congratulate the team.

“Congratulations @TheHockeyIndia on a fabulous win against Pakistan in the Asian Champions Trophy, and qualifying for the semi-finals! The dedication and skill were truly inspiring. Best wishes to the team for the semi-final clash on 11th August. Let’s bring home that victory!” posted Shah on X. 

Having qualified for the semifinals, India will now face Japan on Friday (11 August) to book a spot in the final and eventually win the trophy.

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