In their opening Pool B match at the Paris Olympics 2024, India's men's hockey team secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over New Zealand, thanks to a last-minute penalty stroke by captain Harmanpreet Singh. The match saw New Zealand initially take the lead with Sam Lane's goal in the 8th minute, but India quickly responded with goals from Mandeep Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad to take a 2-1 lead. New Zealand equalized through Simon Child in the 53rd minute, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Harmanpreet's decisive strike in the final minute ensured India's win, marking a strong start to their campaign. Despite the victory, India's coach Craig Fulton may need to address concerns regarding their penalty corner conversion rate, having only scored once from five opportunities. The Indian team, fresh off a bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, will face a challenging path ahead in Pool B, which includes top-ranked teams like Australia and Argentina.