Click to play videoNew Delhi: India's performance on Monday was in stark contrast to the 40s and the 50s, when India were the indisputable world champions. This is where the proud legacy of Indian hockey scaled heights that have remained untouched.
Soon after the India’s independence in 1947, came the chance to unfurl the tricolour on the land which till very recently was under the British rule. London hosted the 1948 Olympics, and the Indian hockey team was the top gun. There had been no Olympics since 1936 but everyone still remembered the dazzling mastery of Dhyan Chand at Berlin. Kishen Lal's team scored 25 goals in all conceding only 2. In the final they played Britain, for the first time ever in the Olympics and thrashed them 4-0.
“Four-years later another hockey team left Indian shores. This time, for Helsinki. Many say the KD Singh Babu led team was the best ever. Three matches later, India's 5th consecutive gold medal was in the bag, Holland getting thrashed 6-1 in the final. Balbir Singh senior scored 9 of India's 13 goals in the tournament. Babu was awarded the Helms trophy for being the best sportsperson in the world,” says Member, 1948 and 1952 Hockey team, G Nandy Singh.
Balbir captained the team 4-years later at Melbourne. His teams record was even more impressive, 35 goals in 5 matches, none against. India beat Pakistan by a solitary goal in the final, capping a magnificent decade.
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