The national men’s team remained undefeated in 1928, 1932, 1936. When the world was recovering from the devastation of World War II in 1948, team India was gearing up for another win in the year itself, followed by another victory in 1952 and then in Melbourne in 1956. 

Though India was now playing as an independent nation, the match the next day, December 6, 1956, appeared to be more difficult than before. They were about to face Pakistan. 

Hopes were sky-high, so was speculation. Little did they know this is going to be the emergence of the acclaimed India-Pakistan strife. 

An independent nation, India, was about to face for the first time another independent nation which had had to be an integral part of it. With no further question pointed, this was a heart-touching occasion for the nations and the players can sense that in the air.  

Captain Balbir Singh Sr revealed in his memoirs that he found it difficult to sleep the previous night before the match. But neither he nor other players could step back. In the tournament, Singh got himself hurt at the very first match thus he was unable to participate in the finals because of incomplete recovery.

Nevertheless, he was made to run to the podium on the insistence of the head coach Harbail Singh, which per him would give a strong message to rivals. 

“He told me that even if I wasn’t able to play my best hockey, my reputation was such that the opponent would use two players to mark me and it would free up space for my other forwards,” shared Balbir.

“My injury was kept a secret from the opposition and that I didn’t shake hands with anyone. Just waved. I took pain-killing injections at the start of the game and at halftime and managed to play,” he added further. 

It was the deciding day. Match began, both teams giving a tough competition to the opponents. None could secure a single goal for the first half. Little did they know India was about to take the lead in the second half. 

Just a few minutes passed in the second half, team India earned a penalty corner which was pushed by Udham Singh. Raghubir Lal trapped the ball perfectly for Randhir Singh Gentle, who swept his shot into the Pakistan goal, past the last defender.

Even though Shankar Laxman was playing his maiden Olympics, he performed outstandingly and kept Pakistan at bay, foiling many attempts at his goal. 

Yay, India made it to the medal and won the sixth consecutive Olympic Gold.

Besides, India scored an Olympic record of 38 goals in five matches, a count that remains unbroken to date. Forward Udham Singh finished with 15 goals, the maximum number of goals in an Olympic campaign.

The post The tale of India’s sixth Gold at the Olympics first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

To your knowledge, Asian Games are due next year and it is the direct qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In the Tokyo Olympics this year, India clinched a medal after a long wait of 41 years. The gleam of the Bronze victory hasn’t worn off yet and the news of the withdrawal of players, who contributed to this path-breaking achievement, caught everyone’s attention.

Staunch Rupinder Pal Singh has played 223 matches so far while stalwart Birendra Lakra played 200 matches, the last being in Tokyo, stressed on “time to allow the next generation of players to experience this great feeling for India” before leaving the stage for newcomers.

Evidently, the timing of such an announcement and gathering for the national team was not coincidental. Inside sources revealed that Rupinder, Lakra, and Sunil were all interested to carry on and expecting to “at least play till the 2022 Asian Games”, but the think-tank planned something different.

The alteration ritual after Olympics

It is not new to anyone that most of the nations opt for the “churn and change” policy after every Olympics cycle concentrating firmly on the players who can last the next four years. Fresh legs are called up and trained to get them going for the pinnacle of it all – the Olympics. And with India’s marvellous triumph at Tokyo, hopes are sky-high.

India has a glorious past at the Olympics, clinching a total of eight golds but failed to fetch any since 1980. Hence, it is understood why the federation, coaches and players don’t want to take a chance tasting victory after a wait of four decades.

Past one week the think-tank and the coaches held exclusive meetings with most of these players in New Delhi, and the players were informed that they were “no longer a part of the scheme of things for now, or even the future”, keeping in mind the next Olympics cycle. It was the termination point for them.

The players had two options, either to wait and watch until they got picked- which was unlikely- or sign off from the game. They chose the dignified way and retired than being dropped from the core group of next in the preference line.

However, retirements in hockey are infrequent. As a matter of fact, there are many players who haven’t announced their retirement until the present. But hockey too had to follow the trend par other sports and there are many dropped players waiting for their turn to get picked as the years passed by.

The last week’s incidents remind us of 2018 when famed midfielder and former captain Sardar Singh became India’s first top player in the recent past to officially announce his retirement.

It was September 2018, the national team had just landed in the country from their bronze-medal finish at the Jakarta Asian Games. The World Cup was due in just a few months at home. They had missed a direct opportunity to qualify for the Tokyo Games and also failed to defend their Asiad title, which had not gone down well with the think tank.

It is conceived that Sardar, who was not in the best of forms at that time, “was told that his services were no longer required”, leading to the hockey renowned’s exit from the game.

The list doesn’t end here, former midfielder Viren Rasquinha was possibly the first international player of modern times to proclaim his retirement hardly days after being omitted from the 2006 Doha Asian Games squad. In 2010, the legendary Dilip Tirkey quit after having represented India in a total of 412 matches, a record that still is unbroken.

India will miss its stars, but probably it was a decision best taken in the interest of the sport.

The post Why do Rupinder and Lakra retire so early? first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Singh and Lakra were both members of the national hockey team led by Manpreet Singh that clinched at the Olympics after 41 years. Rupinder said it was time to pave the way for youngsters to play their chance at the international stage. While Lakra was the vice-captain in Tokyo.

India claiming victory over the Bronze at the 2020 Olympics (Tokyo) was an astonishing moment for the country, the occasion for which the country was waiting since 1980.

Singh (30) has played over 200 matches for India and is considered one of the best drag flickers in the world.

‘The past couple of months have undoubtedly been the best days of my life. Standing on the podium in Tokyo along with my teammates with whom I have shared some of the most incredible experiences of my life was a feeling I will cherish forever,” Singh wrote in the social media post.

“I believe it is time for me to make way for young and talented players to experience every great joy I have felt in these last 13 years of representing India,” he added.

It was 2010 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament held in Ipoh, where he played his maiden international match with India clinching gold. His name was on feature continuously for many historic victories of India including the Asian Games (2014) triumph and the Asian Champions Trophy, 2016, where India won Gold. Though his name was dropped from the team briefly in 2018, he made his way back to the team and became a part of the team that triumphed in Tokyo.

Meantime, Mr Lakra has crawled his way up through the ranks of the junior team set-up to debut for the senior national team in the 2010 South Asian Games and was a part of team India’s witnessing glory in 2014 Asian Games, bronze Medal feat in the World League Final 2015 in Raipur, silver medal-winning campaign at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and FIH Men’s Series Finals Bhubaneswar Odisha 2019 among others.

In his well-established career, the two-time Olympian caught the eye in almost all the major tournaments, including the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2014 and 2018. He, however, failed to take part in the Rio Olympics 2016 due to a knee injury and made a robust fightback to the Indian setup by playing an instrumental role in the team’s gold medal-winning accomplishment at the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy.

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They played a wonderful match, said Prime Minister Modi, who updated his Twitter on watching the semifinal match against Belgium. After the results, he had a word with captain Manpreet Singh and clapped for their performance at the stadium. He encouraged the Indian representation to give their best in the play for Bronze.

Former Hockey captain, Jagbir Singh, also tweeted to boost the morale up for India.

Everyone was eying on today’s match as had India managed to win against Belgium, the achievement would have been a huge psychological battle victory. Belgium, in the past decade, scripted a different story to narrate. Their fortunate years have begun since 2011 with winning an Olympic medal, World Cup, European Championship in a span of ten years. Hence, taking down Belgium, No. 2 world champions, happened to be a great deal for India.

The squad, however, was unable to stop the opponent as Alexander Hendrickx thrashed India by scoring hat-tricks.

The Belgium goal-getter, Alexander, tops the goal-scoring charts with 11 goals in the event so far.

Here are the highlights from the match:

Men’s hockey semifinal: India against Belgium

7:00 AM, Teams are standing guard to beat the opponent.

7:02 AM, Belgium get a penalty corner in just 1:04 minutes of play.

7:03 AM, Belgium lead India 1-0 in the second minute of the game. It’s Luypaert, not Hendrickx who goaled for the team.

7:10 AM, India get a PC but Vanasch saves the reverse from Manpreet after a poor stop routine. But another PC was awarded to India for transgression.

7:10 AM, India equalize through Harmanpreet Singh. Both the team stands 1-1.

7:16 AM, GOAL!!! Mandeep goaled for India. Team Blue is ahead of Belgium 2-1.

7:23 AM, First Quarter ends.

7:28 AM, Match is fierce. Belgium is now showing some pressure on the podium. But India swings back all three, despite being less a player, Rupinder Pal Singh, in the team. Rupinder rushed out early and sent to the half-line. India leads 2-1.

7:30 AM, Another PC for Belgium. This time Hendrickx goaled. Belgium 2-2 India.

7:49 AM, End of the second quarter.

8:05 AM, The Weather condition is adverse. The humidity level in Tokyo is almost 80%. Such conditions are a big test of players’ fitness as well. But the game continues. India earns their fifth penalty corner in the 38th minute. Belgium loses video referral as well. No goal this time, both teams 2-2.

8:21 AM, Fourth Quarter begins. Fifteen minutes left to match ending.

8:23 AM, Capt. Manpreet is out for two minutes with a green card. Belgium gets their 8th PC. Striking move from Rohidas, blocking Hendrickx. But the ball hits his leg and 9th PC for Belgium. India thwarts but made a mistake. Another PC.

8:25 AM, Hendrickx, drag-flicker, secured another goal. Belgium is now ahead 3-2. This is his 12th goal of the Games in Tokyo.

8:33 AM, India is tensed. Pressure is all over. Only 7:31 minutes left for the match to end and India lags 2-3.

8:34 AM, Penalty stroke for Belgium. This can finish the game for India. Hendrickx scores another goal, completes his hat-trick with his 14th goal of the Games. India trail 2-4 with 7 minutes left in the game.

8:45 AM, Belgium beat India 5-2 with the final goal scored by Dohmen in the first semifinal match at the Olympics. Belgium registered their second consecutive Olympic final, while India will play Germany or Australia for bronze. Thanks to Hendrickx for scoring hat-tricks, Luypaert for a goal in the second minute and Dohman to seal the victory by securing a goal in the last minute. While Harmanpreet and Mandeep scored for India.

India will now face Germany for the Bronze!

The post India will now race for Bronze, lost to Belgium 2-5 first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Although day 5 wasn’t that lucky but hopes are still high for a better ending.

Tokyo Olympics started from July 23 and Hockey matches is being held in Oi Hockey Stadium.

The post Great Britain claimed victory against India first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Below are the highlights of the match:

Quarter 1 – The first quarter started with a PC to team Ireland, but Bichu Devi saved it in the early minutes to avoid any loss. Both the team were seeking out ways to score a goal first but were unable in the first quarter and the scoreline remained at IND 0-0 IRE at the end of the first quarter.

Quarter 2 – In the second quarter, PC was again awarded to team Ireland, but again saved by Bichu Devi. Other great tries by both the teams but no goal was scored by either of the team and the score at the end of the first half remained the same at IND 0-0 IRE.

Quarter 3 – In the third quarter, team India got the PC, and finally Gangandeep marked a goal in the 45th minute, making the score IND 1-0 IRE at the end of the third quarter.

Quarter 4 – In the final quarter, team Ireland got another PC to equalize the scoreline, but unfortunately they missed with team India leading the final match of the series at a score IND 1-0 IRE.

Well Done Team India!

Keep watching this space for further updates to the upcoming matches.

The post Jr. Women Hockey Team India Won the Final Match too of Cantor Fitzgerald U21 International Series first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Below are the highlights of the match:

Quarter 1- The first quarter started with both the teams finding ways to score a goal first and team Ireland did it first in the 10th minute thereby making the score IND 0-1 IRE at the end of the first quarter.

Quarter 2 – The second quarter team India was focused on scoring a goal to equalize the score, but missed and the score at the end of the first half remained the same at IND 0-1 IRE.

Quarter 3 – In the third quarter, team India got a PC and Reet nailed it by scoring a goal in the 35th minute, thereby making the score IND 1-1 IRE.

Quarter 4 – In the last quarter, PC was awarded to team Ireland but they missed it. In the next minutes, Sharmilla of team India strengthen the lead with a great shot by making the score IND 2-1 IRE and won the match.

The next match of the series will be against Scottland on 3rd June at 18:00 hrs IST.

Keep watching this space for further updates of the match.

The post Jr. Women’s Team India Won Another Match of Cantor Fitzgerald U21 International Series first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

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Below are the details of the team:

Goalkeepers – Savita (Vice Captain) and Rajani Etimarpu

Defenders – Deep Grace Ekka, Nisha, Gurjit Kaur, Salima Tete, Sunita Lakra

Midfielders – Monika, Nikki Pradhan, Lilima Minz, Neha Goyal, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam

Forwards – Rani (Captain), Vandana Katariya, Navjot Kaur, Navneet Kaur, Lalremsiami, Jyoti

Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne said that the team is balanced and well prepared. Reena Khokar is missing from the match due to injury and is replaced by Nisha. After having good exposure in Spain, Malaysia, and Republic of Korea tours, the team got to learn many things and worked upon the improvement points to give their best in the FIH Finals.

All the very best team, India!

Looking forward to great matches in the Final Series.

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Manpreet Singh will lead the team as a captain and Birendra Lakra as a vice-captain. As it is the very first FIH tournament for Coach Graham Reid as chief, so he seems quite excited and looking forward to this series as a quite important step in the Olympic qualification process.

He added that our goal is to give the consistent performance in every match of the series that we play along with respecting all the opposing teams, turning out to be the best team. Also, the previous international matches with the great teams have given us many things to learn, and we’ll surely implement those in these matches.

Following are the details of the team:

Goalkeepers – PR Sreejesh and Krishan B Pathak

Defenders – Harmanpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra (Vice Captain), Surender Kumar, Varun Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Gurinder Singh

Midfielders – Manpreet Singh (Captain), Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Sumit, Nilakanta Sharma

Forwards – Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Gursahibjit Singh, Simranjit Singh

All the very best team, India. We are looking forward to a fantabulous performance in the series.

Keep watching this space for the updates of the match.

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