The Hockey World Cup 2023 began in Bhubaneshwar with Argentina taking on South Africa in the first game of the match. It was the South American side who emerged victorious as they came out on top 1-0. Hosts India are also scheduled to play their first match of the tournament later on Friday when they take on Spain in a match that is set to commence at 07:00 pm (IST).
While India are ranked number 6 in the world and clinched a historic bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Spain are ranked number 8 in the world. Other than India and Spain, England and Wales are also part of Pool D.
Prior to India's first match at the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, members of the Indian cricket fraternity took to social media to wish the Indian team good luck for their campaign. Star India batter Virat Kohli too wished the Indian Men's Hockey Team the very best.
My best wishes to our Indian men's hockey team for the World Cup. Go and enjoy yourself, we all are backing you. Good luck. 🇮🇳💪," he wrote.
Kohli's India teammate and one of the heroes of India's win over Sri Lanka in the second ODI at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata, KL Rahul, also wished the Indian hockey team the best.
"All the best boys. Hoping for a cracker of a tournament. Lets go.. 🇮🇳💪 @TheHockeyIndia," his tweet read.
Meanwhile, former India batter and currently the head of the National Cricket Academy facility at Bangalore, VVS Laxman also Tweeted his best wishes for the Hockey team.
"Wishing Team India🇮🇳 lots of success in the #HockeyWorldCup2023 Let’s cheer our team! @TheHockeyIndia,"he tweeted.
Ex-India cricketer Gautam Gambhir too shared a message to lift the spirits of the Indian team before their opening game of the competition.
"My Hockey, my pride! Let’s go India! 🇮🇳🇮🇳 #HockeyWorldCup2023," Gambhir wrote.
India's Group-Stage Fixtures at Hockey World Cup 2023
India vs Spain - 13 January at 7.00 PM IST in Rourkela
India vs England - 15 January at 7.00 PM IST in Rourkela
India vs Wales - 19 January at 7.00 PM IST in Bhubaneshwar