Modi lauds cricketers, junior hockey team in Mann Ki Baat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the national cricket team and the junior hockey side for their recent successes. He said their performances have done the country proud. In his 'Mann Ki Baat' address to the nation, Mr Modi appreciated the sporting success that India has achieved in the past fortnight during which the cricket team routed England 4-0 in a Test series while the junior hockey team became world champion.

Mr Modi said, the performance of some of the younger players deserves a special word of praise in the cricket series against England. The young Karun Nair scored a triple century and KL Rahul played a brilliant 199 run innings. Test captain Virat Kohli batted extremely well and also provided inspiring leadership, the Prime Minister said.

Indian Cricket team's off-spin bowler R Ashwin has been declared 'Cricketer of the



Year' as well as the 'Best Test Cricketer' by the ICC for the year 2016. The Prime Minister conveyed his heartiest congratulations and many good wishes go to all of them. 

Mr Modi then went on to laud the junior hockey team. He said after a gap of 15 years, there was good news, in fact grand news from the hockey arena too. The Junior Hockey Team lifted the World Cup. This festive occasion came to the countrymen after fifteen years, he said. Prime Minister described the achievement as a very good omen for the future of Indian Hockey team. 

Last month, Indian Women hockey players too won laurels. The Indian Women's Hockey Team won the Asian Champions Trophy and just a few days ago in the under-18 Asia Cup, Indian Women's Hockey Team secured the Bronze Medal. Mr Modi congratulated all the players from the core of his heart.