A triumph to cherish

India’s victory over Pakistan in the Asia Champions Trophy hockey final in Malaysia may have been predicted in the formbook, but it created a mighty thrill on Diwali day, as an improving Indian team downed its arch-rival in a goal-filled encounter. The border situation may have lent an element of frisson to the event, but Indian sportsmen have consistently beaten their main Asian rival and not got worked up by the circumstances. This not just in hockey, but other sports like kabaddi as well. The hockey win is possibly more significant as it confirms the team’s steady improvement. This year was particularly good as the team won silver in the Champions Trophy, finishing second to Australia, and entered the Olympics knockout stages after a long 36-year gap since winning gold in Moscow 1980.

An eighth place Rio finish may have been a consolation, but one positive is that under Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans players could combine their Asian flair for stickwork with the European style of open, aggressive play. Indians are seen a lot more upfront in the field now and bringing into play positional strengths of teamwork rather than individual brilliance. Some stars like Sardar Singh and P.R. Sreejesh may be ageing, but what suggests promise in the national game is the adaptation to modern hockey and the will to do well on reaping the benefits of guidance from a coach who understands Indian strengths and weaknesses. With India ranked sixth in the world, it can be said resurgence has been achieved in a sport the nation is emotionally attached to.