Scene 1:
DhyanChand Stadium, 1982 Asian Game Final
India crashed to arch-rival Pakistan 1-7
It was the very day of point for no recovery for the National Sport of Indian Subcontinent. “Indian hockey is dead” was a proclamation!
Scene 2:
DhyanChand Stadium, 2010 World Cup
India slaughtered arch-rival Pakistan 4-1
About 16000 strong Team India fans went home sated. It was the very stadium where they had pushed the national game into a well-nigh oblivion. The win was like washing away the 28 year old resentment. Soaring Tricolor and a restless crowd roared to the aggression, variation, plunge, stunning magical feat of the Team Blue. Indian supporters went noisier, slipping Pakis into a desperation mode as the game progressed. India, with no lack of effort on any count on the turf, relentlessly dominated the game and kept the ball in possession to dictate terms throughout.
Indeed a night of goose-bumps but Indian Hockey has certainly acquired a new flavor!
Stadium mein baith ke match dekhoonga..
Jhanda bhi lehraoonga..
Aur India India chillaoonga..
Game ki tension mein nakhoon chabaoonga..
Face pe Tiranga bhi lagaoonga..
Apni team ke saare match dekhne jaoonga..
Now who can say “Indian hockey is dead”,
when the national catchphrase is.. Phir Dil Do Hockey Ko!
