Field Hockey in India: All-Time Best Players

Players with miraculous grace, these eleven stand out among all others.

William R Wallace once said, “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.” Well, isn’t it true that the stick that rocks and blocks the wee ball rules the world of our own, Hockey? “For true love is inexhaustible; the more you give, the more you have. And if you go to draw at the true fountainhead, the more water you draw, the more abundant is its flow.”

When speaking and writing about Hockey, I remember the aforementioned lines said by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Yes! I would like to grow old with Hockey before I lose my breath. And, no, I would be lying if I say Hockey doesn’t come first in my thoughts during the dawn of the day and the dusk of the night.

You may lose me, as your confidant, if I say, I am proud to have played Hockey and proud, too, for having written extensively about the sport. I am not that rich in academics and rich not, also, in the knowledge of the sport. Hence, I will take care of myself and my arrogance (I don’t have, but, if you think I possess), so that I can build an edifice of my dreams.

Here is what I think is the best XI to have ever represented India in Field Hockey.

Dhyan Chand (photo, Twitter)

Dhyan Chand (Inside forward): Probably the greatest outfield hockey player and one of the fiercest competitors of the sport. The Wizard of Hockey. His artistry was so intricate; Hitler tried to impound Dhyan Chand’s hockey stick in the 1932 Olympics as he felt the stick was made with magnets. An anecdote surrounds his name. The word “Chand” in Hindi means ‘the moon.’ He used to practice and play the game at nights, after his services in the day. Since those were pre-electricity times and the moon was the prime source of light, this legend used it to harness his skills. The flawless control over the ball, those mesmerizing stick works of this center forward, are unparalleled. In other words, he was a selfless goal machine. If he in his run to the cage sensed a scoring chance to either of the winger, he would humbly pass the ball. He meant to win and win with pride. On an even close look at his game, I wonder if there were any magnetic properties in his stick! So gracious was his control. (Source: https://www.sportskeeda.com/hockey/hockeys-immortal-dhyan-chand)

Leslie Claudius (Halfback): He once famously said, “We taught the world how to play, and they are now teaching us,” surely reflect the pathetic reality of the game in the nation. If records ever contribute to one’s greatness, this man had his share too. His greatness is apparent in the fact that he holds the Guinness world record along with another legend Udham Singh for the most number of Olympic medals, three Gold and one Silver. Unthinkable, yet unassailable. Leslie Cladius shares a rare distinction of being one of the only 3 Indians along with the Hockey’s immortal – Dhyan Chand and his brother Roop Singh, for having named the London underground metro train stations after them. (Source: https://www.sportskeeda.com/hockey/leslie-walter-claudius-a-tribute-to-hockeys-forgotten-jewel

Dhanraj Pillay (photo, indiatimes.com

Dhanraj Pillay (Center forward): Artist, Magician, and Poet: They say, “Great edifices are built on solid foundations.” Indeed, yes, this man has one of the most solid foundations ever. Brick by brick, layer by layer, he cemented a foundation that would never wither out till the end of time.  For a matter of fact, my hero represented the nation in 339 International matches; the only player in the history of the games to feature in four Olympics (1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004); four World Cups (1990, 1994, 1998, and 2002); four Champions Trophies (1995, 1996, 2002, and 2003); and four Asian Games (1990, 1994, 1998, and 2002). Proudly and humbly, the greatest sportsperson India has ever produced, nor will ever do. In the words of Sundeep Mishra, “Watching Dhanraj play was magical, it tells us a story so personal, so universal – the story of one man’s pride and passion being humbled by the whim and fancy of the gods.

Balbir Singh Sr (Right outer): One of the most feared players blessed with unmatchable speed and thrust. Balbir’s first taste of the Olympics was in London in 1948. His first match for India as an Olympian was against the Argentineans. In what was a goal-fest, Balbir scored six goals, including a hat-trick. And later, in the first encounter against the hosts Great Britain, he scored two goals as independent India won its first gold medal when the final scoreline read India 4-0 Great Britain. Four years later, the Olympics shifted to Helsinki, and the year was 1952. This flag-bearer of India in the opening ceremony scored a hat-trick against Great Britain and put the team at a touching distance of yet another gold medal with the final against the Netherlands. It was then in that final game that Balbir created a timeless record. In India’s 6-1 win, our legend scored a whopping five goals, which remains the Olympic record of most goals by an individual in an Olympic final. On an astounding note, he scored 9 of India’s total goals. The result, a gold medal to the nation. (Source: https://www.sportskeeda.com/hockey/indian-hockeys-greatest-center-forward-balbir-singh-senior)

Mohammad Shahid (photo, Free Press Journal)

Mohammad Shahid (Left inner): “The genius of the dribble, a two-time Olympian, is profoundly known for baffling the full-backs with his inimitable knack and guile on the hockey pitch. The way he controlled the speeding ball, dribbled and assisted to perfection in the period of 1978–1984 in the elite company of Zafar Iqbal is still reminisced in the hockey circles. A few would say, India would have stood on the podium had our Shahid been given a chance to play in the first team during the 1988 Seoul games against England. Only time would tell. Shahid was so famous for his dribbling that older people would reach to him to kiss his hands. Such was the mastery and speed with which he dribbled the hockey ball. In all, this Arjuna Awardee was not hailed a hero despite his abundant talent. His fast push akin to hard-hit is cherishable. Undoubtedly, Shahid is a hockey hero considering his contribution in popularizing the game. (Source: https://www.sportskeeda.com/hockey/the-genius-of-dribble-mohammad-shahid)

Randhir Singh Gentle (Full back): Arguably, the greatest full back Indian hockey has ever produced. He scored the winning goal against Pakistan in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, through a Penalty Corner. 1956 was the first time India met Pak at the Olympics. He was also part of the Gold-winning 1952 Olympics held in Helsinki.

Michael Kindo (Full back): The Franco Baresi of Indian Hockey. One of the greatest tacklers of the game. As a defender, his sense of positioning, ball awareness, tackle & interception were great. He was the first Adivasi to represent India in hockey, from Jharkhand. He was part of the 1972 Munich Bronze & 1975 KL World Cup win.

Prithipal Singh (Full back): An athlete of a person and one of the game’s greatest ever full-backs. Nicknamed as “King of the short corner” by the commentators, he scored the highest no of goals by an outfield player in all the Olympics he participated in. His short reflexes and strength in the arms are tales to talk by. He won three Olympic medals; Silver (Rome, 1960), Gold (Tokyo, 1964), Bronze (Mexico, 1968).

Ajit Pal Singh (Halfback): One of the country’s famous half-backs, Ajit Pal started his playing days in the full-back position at school and college level. It was during his university days; he moved to his celebrated position half back and played the rest of his career. A man with top quality composure and technique, Ajit Pal attracted crowds as the honey bees to hive.

Richard Allen (Goal Keeper): One of the few triple Olympic gold medalists for over two decades until 1956, the Nagpur-born Allen, born on 4th June 1902, holds the rare distinction of watching the most number of goals scored by his team. It was during the Amsterdam Games in 1928 that Allen made a huge mark for himself. Believe me! He did not concede a single goal in the entire event – a record. Four years later, in 1932, the mega-events shifted to Los Angeles. A few strange things took place there. In one match against the USA, he was seen signing autographs. In the biggest score ever on the international stage where Roop Singh, brother of Dhyan Chand, scored ten goals, Allen just conceded a single goal. The final score read 24 – 1 in India’s favor. Some still say that the defense was strong, but I suppose the ability of Allen was one of the biggest reasons for the lopsided score. Ironically, this was the only goal he conceded in the entire event in four matches as India went on to take the gold medal. (Source: https://www.sportskeeda.com/hockey/indian-hockeys-top-3-custodians)

Courtesy: Indianetzone

Shankar Laxman (Goal Keeper): The Rock of Gibraltar. Arguably one of the greatest characters in goal-keeping, Shankar Laxman was born in Mhow in Madhya Pradesh precisely a year after India won the gold at the Los Angeles Games. Laxman’s first love was football. However, he took to hockey after entering the army. Fondly known for his bravery and a stiff mental attitude, he started picking up the pace and received much-deserved applause and admiration. One thing that truly separates him from others was his ability to play without durable protective gear. The first goal-keeper ever to captain a side, Laxman won two golds, one in 1956 and the other is 1964 and was part of an Indian contingent that won its only silver (at the 1960 Games). Laxman is most remembered for stopping Pakistan’s Muneer Dar’s corner in the dying moments of a nerve-racking final and bringing back the gold at the 1964 Games. (Source: https://www.sportskeeda.com/hockey/indian-hockeys-top-3-custodians)