The Story of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team

All eyes will be on the Indian hockey team as they travel to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

The eight-time gold medalists won a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, ending a 41-year medal drought by beating Germany 5-4. This time around, the team will look to keep it up and emulate the gold medal-winning team from the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

Humble beginnings

Although it was the English who introduced the sport to the country, the Indians took to the sport like fish to water. The origins of field hockey can be traced back to the 16th century, where the game was ‘hokie‘ and in which players played with sticks with a small ball.

Then the British adapted and introduced the sport in the early 1850s. Slowly but surely it became a catchy attraction among the masses, especially within the British Indian Army.

Calcutta got the country’s first hockey club in 1855 after the game became a huge hit among children and adults in India due to its accessibility and ease of play, which required minimal equipment. The city also laid the foundation for the Beighton Cup, the oldest hockey tournament in India, which started in 1895 and continues to this day.

The Aga Khan tournament followed shortly after, popularizing the sport in the provinces of Bombay and Punjab, contributing to Pakistan’s success in the sport after independence.

After this, in 1925, an association was formed for the Indian men’s hockey team, the Indian Hockey Association (IHF). This association was, after two failed attempts in 1907 and 1908, related to the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

The first international tour for the Indian men’s hockey team was organised by the IHF in 1926 to New Zealand, two years before the Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. This tournament provided much-needed match practice for the Indian men’s hockey team. The team won 18 out of 21 matches, showing the world that India was a force to be reckoned with in field hockey.

This tournament also provided a platform for younger players from India, such as Dhyan Chand, who would later change the sport.

Transformed by a magician

The man responsible for the popularity and transformation of hockey in India was Dhyan Chand. Popularly known as “Hockey in Jaadugar(The magician of the hockey game) Dhyan Chand’s skills on the field were unmatched.

With his magical maneuvers he outdid his opponents, often leaving them bewildered.

The Indian hockey team won three consecutive gold medals: in 1928, 1932 and at the 1936 Olympics. This was due to the achievements of Dhyan Chand and the team that supported him.

During the 1936 Berlin Olympics, India played against Germany in the final, where India defeated Germany 8-1. Incidentally, Adolf Hitler was so impressed with Dhyan Chand’s skills that he offered him German citizenship and a rank as a colonel in the German army, which Chand flatly refused.

A journey of triumph and redemption

After a 12-year hiatus due to two world wars, the Olympic Games made a comeback in 1948, this time in London. The Indian men’s hockey team seized the opportunity and won the gold medal at the return of the Olympics.

This success continued at the 1952 and 1956 Olympics, where India dominated by winning gold medals in Helsinki and Melbourne respectively, confirming their prowess in hockey. It was clear that they were the team to beat.

However, in the second half of the 20th century, the number of Indian men’s hockey teams declined.

The playing surface changed and this seemed to destroy the stickwork historically used by the Indians. Also the Europeans used techniques different from those used by India and the results were there for all to see.

India began to struggle at the Olympics and World Championships. A medal drought developed and a notable failure followed when they failed to make the cut for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

To revive the sport, initiatives such as the Hockey India League were introduced, allowing Indian players to collaborate and compete with foreign counterparts and refine their training regimes.

Increased government support, particularly from the state government of Odisha as the main sponsor of the Indian and women’s hockey teams, further boosted the revival of hockey in India.

These measures have breathed new life into sports in the country.

The effect of these efforts was evident when the Indian hockey team defeated Germany at the Tokyo Olympics to clinch a bronze medal and end a 41-year medal-less streak.

The win underlines India’s revival in international hockey and rekindles the passion for hockey among fans, who are now eagerly looking forward to better results at the Paris Olympics.

Paris 2024 beckons

The Indian men’s hockey team, comprising A16, travels to Paris in the hope of winning gold this time.

The team qualified for the quadrennial event by winning a gold medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, beating Japan in the final.

Led by Craig Fulton and guided by a captain who not only guards India’s defence on the field but is also a powerful drag flicker who often scores goals from penalty corners, the team is well prepared. Also, the experienced Hardik Singh will be the vice-captain.

Five players in the squad, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Raj Kumar Pal, Abhishek and Sukhjeet, are all making their Olympic debut.

Manpreet Singh, a prolific midfielder who led India to a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, is making his fourth appearance at the Olympics, along with the experienced Sreejesh PR, a formidable presence in goal.

In addition, senior midfielder Nilakanta Sharma, defender Jugraj Singh and goalkeeper Krishnan Bahadur Pathak have all been added to the squad as additional players.

The Indian men’s hockey team has been drawn in Pool B along with Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and Ireland.

Craig Fulton, head coach of the Indian men’s hockey team, said in an interview with the media that he is confident about the team’s selection for the Olympics.

“The selection process for the Olympic squad in Paris was extremely competitive given the amount of talent in our ranks. However, I am confident that every selected player will put their best foot forward in Paris.”

“This squad represents an ideal mix of experienced players and emerging young talents, who give us the versatility and energy needed to face the challenges ahead. Our goal was to build a cohesive team that can adapt to different playing styles and situations, and I believe we have succeeded in doing so,” he added.

One last push

As the Indian men’s hockey team prepares for the challenge that awaits them in Paris, there is a palpable sense of determination and anticipation.

With the increased focus on events such as the FIH Hockey Pro LeagueThe Indian men’s hockey team has gained valuable competitive experience at the international level.

And thanks to the strategic guidance of coach Craig Fulton, the team, a mix of experience and youthful energy, is ready to put on a good show.

With renewed confidence and a new spirit of resilience, the team is ready to breathe new life into the rich legacy of a bygone era.