Here’s why Indian men’s hockey team will play with 15 players against Germany in semis of Paris Olympics

New Delhi: The Indian men’s hockey team is on the verge of creating history since the Moscow Olympics in 1980. However, India’s key defender and first rusher Amit Rohidas will not be available for the action. Rohidas was given a red card during the quarterfinal match against Great Britain which means that India will be playing against Germany with only 15 members on the sheet rather than a full squad of 16 members.

Rohidas was awarded a red card in the initial half of the game itself after the Indian defender’s stick accidentally hit the face of Great Britain’s player Will Calnan. Although Rohidas was trying to avoid the midfield scuffle, the Indian defender could not prevent the booking against his name.

This is so unfair and not an international level umpiring in hockey. You just can’t give a red card to an unintentional offence at any point. Shame on #Paris2024Olympics officials for being biased. It’s a Day Light Robbery by umpires for Great Britain. Poor Amit Rohidas got stuck… pic.twitter.com/xOyT4wfPF9

— Harshendra Verdhan (@iamharshendra) August 4, 2024

Initially, the on-field umpires decided to rule out the seriousness of the foul. However, after referring to the TV Umpire, the on-field umpire reversed his decision to give Amit a straight red. Subsequently, Hockey India challenged the decision taken by the FIH. Nevertheless, all that is said and done, India managed to win the game in the end to play the semis for second successive time after 4 years.

How to watch the India vs Germany semifinal match at the Paris Olympics 2024?