Ashok Kumar returned to India from the 1975 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur with a hockey gold medal. A team title of the highest class and worthy of national celebration, as it turned out. As a separate India is set to applaud the men’s badminton team coming home from Bangkok with the Thomas Cup 2022, the qualities that molded players from the ’75 squad into a winning unit, remain unchanged in ’22, hockey ace indicates to.
Playing from inside out for India under the captaincy of Midfield General Ajitpal Singh, Ashok scored the winning goal in a 2-1 win against Pakistan as the hockey heroes returned with the country’s first FIH World Cup. “Every player has to be in the frame of mind to give his all. This comes from preparation, individual training of oneself followed by team sessions, then practicing until the move becomes comfortable. ,
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India beat defending champions Indonesia 3-0 in the best of five tie final. Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth (two singles), Chirag Shetty-Satwiksairaj Ramireddy (doubles) performed on time. The speed, finesse of each player stunned the Indonesians. “You must have the skill to catch the opponent off-guard and the awareness to execute it at the right time. It’s risky, the team benefits when you show the confidence to pull it off.”
He added: “Winning a world team final like the Thomas Cup cannot happen without surprising opponents in the competition.” When the hockey hero arrived in Chennai, there was a felicitation and a public welcome. Players were taken out in a jeep procession. “We played to win the title, nothing else mattered to the hockey fans. When the teams returned with medals apart from gold, abuses broke out at the airport.
So winning the World Cup was a mixture of joy and relief, living up to the public’s expectations in a country where hockey was the number one sport in 1975. India defeated Asian rivals Pakistan in the final, with home team Malaysia losing to India in the semi-finals. “Defeating the countries where badminton craze (Indonesia, Denmark) is great, the hopes will start soon and the teams of the future need to be ready for the increased expectations. It is time to celebrate for the present team,” said Ashok.
For any team to be successful, each player selected for the final match must be prepared to sacrifice personal pride for the sake of the entire group. Ashok felt that this sentiment was visible in the shuttlers’ group. “I am sure these players will represent India for more years and play bigger tournaments. When playing as individuals, the mood is different and during a team event, national interest must come before individual achievement. Indian hockey teams tasted success when players were ready to put in every effort for a common cause.
The example was set by seniors Kidambi Srikanth, HS Prannoy in the Thomas Cup witnessed by three-time hockey Olympian, Mervyn Fernandes.
“Srikanth won the second singles against Indonesia, which comes with experience on the circuit. Prannoy came for the third singles, under pressure from the deciders (Malaysia in the quarter, Denmark in the semi-finals). He didn’t show the slightest sign of fatigue, which I thought was an amazing contribution to the team. ,
Fernandes is a badminton regular since his hockey days, playing Veterans Doubles on the tennis circuit after retirement. “I have been watching Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj (Rankireddy) since the Tokyo Olympics, where I thought they were unlucky to miss a chance to qualify for the medal round. Young, fearless and admiring each other, this couple will go a long way. The best part about his Thomas Cup performance was that everyone was promoting his teammate even when there were mistakes. For youngsters watching any racquet sport, it is a quality of a young doubles pair to be observed and followed. ,
Prannoy’s willingness to fight till the last point in the decider propelled India forward, with Fernandes praising Lakshya Sen when it mattered. “He was in form before the Thomas Cup, so the fight till the final against Indonesia was confusing. His win in the first singles set the tone for the rest of the title clash, I thought. The hockey Olympian used to watch every match on television since the quarter. “The Thomas Cup victory is exactly where India has had great success in the international team game. As far as hockey is concerned, the 1975 World Cup can fall in this category.
He hoped that the Badminton Association of India (BAI) would take advantage of this incredible victory to attract more and more youth to the game. “The Hockey World Cup players were taken to and felicitated across India.
Cricket attracted people after the 1983 World Cup victory. We have a group of amazing players who deserve praise and encouragement, committed seniors and exciting youngsters. The coach and support staff of the team deserve appreciation.”
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