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    Tokyo 2020: Indian women make Olympic history by reaching hockey semis; Twitter has a manic Monday; SRK has a 'Kabir Khan' message

    Synopsis

    The win has raised hopes now.

    Untitled-10PTI
    In a power-packed game, India trumped Australia 1-0.
    A day after P V Sindhu made it a memorable Sunday, the Indian women's hockey team added to the cheer. On Monday, the women’s team created history by slamming into the semifinals at the Olympics for the first time ever.

    In a power-packed game, India trumped Australia 1-0. The win, made possible due to Gurjit Kaur's goal in the second quarter, has secured a slot for India in the semis at Tokyo 2020.

    As the news broke of India’s trek to the semis, Twitter went into its typical state of euphoria. Celebrities, fans and politicians alike took to social media to congratulate the Indian women's team, led by Rani Rampal.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated shuttler PV Sindhu and the Indian hockey teams' wins, in a tweet, saying, "Not only has PV Sindhu won a well deserved medal, but also we saw historic efforts by the men’s and women’s hockey teams at the Olympics. I’m optimistic that 130 crore Indians will continue to work hard to ensure India reaches new heights as it celebrates its Amrut Mahotsav."


    Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, who became India's favourite athlete after scoring the country's first medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, applauded the girls for their victory. "What a stunning victory," she wrote on Twitter.

    Chanu earned a silver in the 49 kg division with a total life of 202 kg.

    Former cricketer Virender Sehwag, “filled with pride”, led the reactions, praising the women's team on Twitter, and calling it a wow moment.


    Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, who till last month, was at the helm of affairs in the sports minister, gave a shout-out to the team, expressing his “excitement and happiness”. He also hoped that India could do an encore of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics by bagging gold.


    Rijiju’s colleague and successor in the sports department, Anurag Thakur, was all-praise for the bunch as well. Thakur, who also holds the I&B portfolio, called the move to the semis as one “scripting history” and assured that the team had the support of a billion Indians.


    Naveen Patnaik, the CM of Odisha which has been the sponsor of the men and women's hockey teams, also lauded the team for what he called “a thumping victory against Australia”.


    Billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani too took to Twitter, saying applauding the team's captain for leading the team to a 'Chak De! India' performance at the Olympics against Australia.


    As the Indian women cruised past, coach Sjored Marjine became emotional. And no one other than King Khan himself had a word of praise. Khan, who played hockey coach Kabir Khan in the blockbuster 'Chak De! India' had a special request for the real-life coach.


    Cricketer Suresh Raina sent out his best wishes to India Hockey Team.

    "Phenomenal two days for Indian hockey," wrote cricketer Rishabh Pant on Twitter, adding that the whole nation was with the team.

    Bollywood actress Yami Gautam praised the Team, saying they have made India proud.

    The Indian Olympics official handle also posted a winning picture with the apt caption, “History Has Been Made.”


    Indian author Chetan Bhagat urged his fans to not celebrate just yet as it was yet to be done. "Cheer, but don't over pressurize," he wrote on Twitter.

    On Sunday, the Indian men's hockey team also brought some good news as they reached the Olympic semifinals for the first time in four decades after thrashing Great Britain in the quarterfinals.

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