Indian hockey players were the true global superstars of the sport for most of the previous century.
Legends arose as other nations attempted, often in vain, to catch up and beat India's global dominance of field hockey and mesmerizing skills.
Although such levels of brilliance are often the product of a team effort – and India has been blessed with several prolific attackers over the years – there is always one player who stands out in a team.
We look at five of the greatest hockey players of all time in this article:
1. Dhyan Chand
Dhyan Chand has the potential to be the greatest hockey player in history. Dhyan Chand was dubbed the "Wizard" because of his ability with a ball on the end of his stick and his knack for getting into scoring positions, which allowed him to score many goals, including hat-tricks in two Olympic finals. Dhyan Chand made his Olympic debut in 1928 with the Indian hockey team, scoring 14 goals to a gold medal. He first gained international attention during India's first international tour in 1926 (to New Zealand). Dhyan Chand went on to win two more gold medals in the Olympics, the first in Los Angeles in 1932 and the second in Berlin in 1936, the latter as captain.
2. Balbir Singh Sr.
Indian hockey was looking for the next superstar when the Olympics returned in 1948 after being postponed for two editions due to World War II in 1940 and 1944. Balbir Singh Dosanjh is a character in the film Balbir Singh Dosanjh. Balbir Singh Sr., as he is called, is generally regarded as one of the greatest center-forwards in hockey history. In 1948, he overcame internal politics to score eight goals in two games and win Olympic hockey gold for the second time. Balbir Singh Sr. will become India's most important hockey player in the years to come, leading the team to the second hat-trick of Olympic golds in 1952 final, a record that still stands today. After his playing career, Balbir Singh Sr. was the head coach and manager of the Indian hockey team and was in charge when India won their only men's Hockey World Cup title in 1975. The legend fought illness for a long time before passing away in May 2020 at 96, but he left a lasting legacy in his wake.
3. Mohammad Shahid
Mohammad Shahid was an unheralded name in Indian hockey history, but he was widely regarded as one of the country's most skilled players. Shahid made his debut for the Indian junior hockey team in 1979, and he was impressed enough to be selected for the 1980 Olympics squad, where he soon established himself as the team's lynchpin. An attacking winger for the Indian hockey team, Shahid established a lethal partnership with Zafar Iqbal up front and led India to their eighth and final Olympic gold medal in Moscow in 1980. It was also India's last Olympic hockey trophy. Vasudevan Baskaran*, the 1980 Olympic gold-winning team captain, praised Mohammad Shahid's talent and importance to the team. * The boy from Varanasi became one of India's best hockey players in the following decade, culminating in an Asian Games bronze in 1986. Shahid retired in 1989 and died in 2016 from a liver ailment.
4. Danraj Pillay
Dhanraj Pillay, synonymous with Indian hockey, was one of the game's last major stars. Pillay made his debut for the Indian hockey team in 1989, and over the next few years, he took over the mantle of the best player from Mohammad Shahid. Pillay was one of the best attackers in international hockey in the 1990s, thanks to his burst of speed that left defenders in his wake and his ability to find the perfect pass. In 1995, he received the Arjuna Award, which honors excellence in sports. He also guided India to their first Asia Cup victory in 2003 after leading the Indian hockey team to an Asian Games gold after a 32-year wait with a brilliant individual campaign in 1998. During his prime, Pillay was also one of the fittest players, having competed in four Olympics, four World Cups, four Asian Games, and four Champions Trophy tournaments, making him the only player to do so. He retired from international football in 2004 after a 15-year career.
5. PR Sreejesh
Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh carved an excellent career at the highest level despite not playing hockey as a child. The veteran goalkeeper had to wait a long time to make his senior national team debut. Still, after a standout performance in the 2011 Asian Champions Trophy, where he saved two penalties against Pakistan to win the tournament, he was named first-choice. PR Sreejith has firmly established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world since then, thanks to his vocal leadership and excellent shot-stopping abilities. PR Sreejesh has previously captained the Indian hockey team and returned after overcoming a career-threatening injury in 2017. He was instrumental in the Indian hockey team's first FIH Pro League campaign in 2020, leading them to four wins, two of which came in penalty shootouts. His form will be crucial for India in 2021 as they attempt to make their first Olympic podium appearance in 41 years.
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