The Balbir Singh impact: Story behind India’s 1975 World Cup win

The affect that three-time Olympic gold medal-winning hockey legend Balbir Singh Senior had on Indian hockey might be arduous to match. Sometimes, he did so, with out even lifting a hockey stick. Balbir Singh was the supervisor of the Indian hockey crew that defeated Pakistan 2-1 in an exciting contest to win their maiden World Cup trophy in 1975. It stays India’s solely success within the world match until date. Remembering the hockey legend, who handed away on the age of 96 on Monday morning, the captain of the World Cup-winning India hockey crew Ajit Pal Singh spoke concerning the affect Balbir Singh had on the crew.

Speaking in an unique telephonic interview with Hindustan Times, Ajit Pal expressed his condolences over the demise of Balbir Singh and outlined him as an ideal gentleman.

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“It’s really sad news that we have lost such a great pillar of India hockey. Balbir Singh was a great player, a great administrator, and a great manager. We were fortunate that he was with us during the 1975 World Cup, and we could win the trophy. He was perfect in every aspect of life – a fine, well-balanced gentleman,” he stated.

He additional opened up on the dynamics he shared with the supervisor throughout the 1975 World Cup match in Malaysia. “Our team in 1975 had the perfect combination, with everything in the right place. When the team clicks – manager, players, coach, captain – then only success could happen. The 1975 World Cup win was a team effort,” he stated.

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“My relationship with Balbir Ji was very cordial, off-the-field and on-the-field. He was a senior player, and was like a father figure. We looked up to him, for his advice. It was a perfect combination,” he added.

In the match, India suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat within the group stage match in opposition to a weak Argentina crew. The loss meant that India needed to beat West Germany of their subsequent sport to qualify for the semifinals. Ajit Pal recollects how Balbir Singh motivated the complete crew throughout the breakfast.

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“Argentina’s team was not a very good one. One fluke chance they got, and they scored. We tried to get numerous chances but we just could not find the equalizer. It was very disappointing for our players. The team was really demoralised and depressed,” he recalled.

“Next morning, Balbir Ji called us for a meeting. At the meeting, he said ‘listen, boys, whatever happened yesterday, just forget about it. Now today, and tomorrow, we have these two days to prepare for Germany. Today, we have to concentrate, we have to eat well, rest well, and have the team discussion. You guys are capable, god’s willing. Losing to Argentina doesn’t mean you cannot beat Germany,” Ajit Pal additional stated.

India went on to defeat West Germany 3-1 comfortably to guide a ticket to the semifinal the place they defeated Malaysia 3-2 to succeed in the ultimate in opposition to Pakistan. “Balbir Ji, being the senior hockey player, he had all the nitty-gritty on how to motivate, and to figure out the need of the hour, what is being spoken to the boys. He was a very polished man, and that was because he himself was a great player,” Ajit Pal stated.

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The former India hockey star additional recalled the ultimate in opposition to Pakistan which was a high-paced, tense affair. Pakistan bought off to begin, scoring an early objective. India bounced again strongly within the second half and went on to defeat the arch-rivals 2-1 to carry the trophy.

“The team was brilliant and him (Balbir Singh) sitting there on the side of the ground, it really motivated all of us. It was very fortunate, that I was the captain and we won the trophy,” Ajit Pal stated.

“Balbir Singh Ji wanted the team to move along together. It was a really memorable experience in 1975, and we came out with flying colours. We celebrated the World Cup win all over India, and it was a really good time for hockey,” he signed off.