Team India defender Nikki Pradhan is going through a mix of emotions ahead of the women's hockey semi-finals against Argentina in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Around 5.30pm (IST) on Tuesday when it was 9pm in Tokyo, Nikki rang up her elder sister Shashi Pradhan to share her feelings and seek the blessings of her parents. “Tomorrow is a high-pressure match. She sounded confident for sure. But, I also sensed a bit of nervousness in her tone ahead of the big day. It was 9pm and she was off to bed after dinner and just wanted to speak to us and seek blessings," Shashi told The TelegraphOnline.

Nikki Pradhan (left) with another team mate after India won quarter-final against Australia in Tokyo Olympics on Monday. Telegraph picture

On Monday, Indian women’s team scripted history by entering into semi-final for the first time since 1980 when female hockey began in Olympics. The Indian side thrashed Australia 1-0 in a nail-biting match that went down the wire.

On the Indian men’s team lost to Belgium by 5-0 in their semi-final match on Tuesday and all eyes are now glued on the women’s squad.

Shashi, who has played hockey herself, and is currently working for Indian Railway in Ranchi, added that Nikki told her the team morale was high after the quarter-final win against Australia. "But she was upset the team couldn’t do well in the earlier matches. Extreme heat conditions could be a reason, she said. She said Monday's match brought back confidence and coordination among team members also improved. In the end, it all depends how they play as a unit on a particular day.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Shashi and her parents Soma Pradhan and Jitan Devi were at Project Building where the state sports department organsied a function to hand over job letters to 12 sports persons and also provide special cash awards to those taking part in the Olympics. This year, three players—Nikki Pradhan and Salima Tete (both hockey) and archer Deepika Kumari _ are representing the country from Jharkhand in the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Chief minister Hemant Soren provided their parents with Rs 5 lakh as a token of appreciation. He also promised to sanction more funds after the players returned from Tokyo.

“Our beti (girls) who have made it to Olympics are our pride. I have planned many more things for them upon their return,” he said, adding that his government was committed to promotion of sports and games in Jharkhand.

CM Hemant Soren with his officials pose with new recruitees and parents of players at Project Building on Tuesday. Telegraph picture

State sports secretary Pooja Singhal said that out of 40 players who were selected for direct jobs under the new sports policy, 12 couldn’t get appointment letters in the past due to technical reasons. “Today, all 12 received their letters. Players were from disciplines like archery, cycling, wushu, athletics and karate. They were inducted as sub- inspectors and inspectors of police,” she said.