Is India all about cricket? One loss overshadows feats in hockey & badminton

Amidst all the anger and disappointment, India did beat Pakistan last night but not in cricket, it was in Hockey. Why is this feat overshadowed by India's loss to Pakistan in cricket?

While most are still focusing on India's cricket loss to Pakistan, Kidambi Srikanth becomes first Indian man to win Indonesia Superseries Premier title!

There was a lot of frenzy over the cricket loss at the hands of Pakistan last night with scenes from across the country filled with outrage. India lost by 180 runs at the ICC Champions Trophy tournament. A picture in a leading newspaper showed cricket "fans" in Ahmedabad break television sets on the streets which was very disappointing. India has always been a cricket obsessed nation and has been continually ignoring other sports.

This was evident from last night as the Hockey India team won in convincing style against Pakistan at the Hero Men's Hockey World Semi Final in London. The Indian Hockey team won 7-1 but as usual all attention was centred on cricket.

Another great sporting feat for India also took place last night as 24-year-old badminton player Kidambi Srikanth became the first Indian man to win the Indonesia Superseries Title! This again was overshadowed by other news. The shuttler won against Kazumasa Sakai of Japan in two sets –21-11,21-19. There has been dominance of badminton by female athletes and Srikanth is now a bright light for men's badminton.

Sports in India has always been one sided but there has been growing attention on football which seems to be of immediate focus, however with hockey being the national sport of the country, it is amusing that a match like last nights' is given little importance. In the coming days, there will be a lot said and written about the cricket team's performance and all sorts of analysis will come up. That said, only a few will focus on the two great achievements which not only furthers Indian hockey and badminton on a global level but also brings pride to every sport lover in the country.

(By Jessica Passah)