Hockey has lost its brightest star
There was a sense of understated elegance in his measured step and upright gait. RIP Balbir Sir. Thank you for inspiring a generation of hockey players.
players by his personalised touch. He was also not averse to taking bold positions and at times his forthright decisions singed senior players. In particular, he did not take kindly to players who did not keep team interests above their own. Hailing from a dierent era, he did not have the experience of modernday tactics for astroturf hockey. Yet, his strong work ethic and exceptionally insightful mind kept him abreast with the best in the business.
The Champions Trophy in Amsterdam saw our team play with renewed vigour under his guidance. In the match against Pakistan, we were trailing 03 in the rst 15 minutes. His composure in the situation convinced us that all was not lost. We recovered to beat Pakistan 54 riding on a hattrick by Rajinder Singh Sr. It was a gruelling tournament where we had to play six matches against the best in the world within eight days. We went the distance and nished on the podium as bronze medallists. This was a performance that remained India’s best in the Champions Trophy for 36 long years. It was in large measure due to the astute handling of the team by Balbir Sr, ably assisted by Colonel Balbir, who was his deputy.
For someone who had been ever victorious in his era, there was a rude surprise in store. The team that had promised so much at the Champions Trophy tanked on the horrendous day in Delhi during the 19■2 Asian Games nal. It was a collective failure of everyone on the eld. A blowout if there was one. With a nation in mourning and brickbats ying thick and fast, it would have shattered the nerve of most. Not Balbir Sr. On the contrary, it brought to the fore the true mettle of the great champion.
He regrouped the team and somehow convinced us that we should go to Melbourne to play the Esanda Trophy, which had the best countries on view — a virtual World Cup competition. Exactly 20 days after our monumental loss in the Asian Games nal, the Asian archrivals were pitted against each other again in the opener in Esanda, Melbourne. India won 21 and went on to defeat Holland, England, New Zealand and a host of top teams to make it to the nal. Although we ultimately lost to host Australia, it was a retribution of sorts to beat the old enemy and nish on the podium from a fully competitive eld.
For many like me, it was a return of condence to continue a career in hockey.
Balbir Sr’s association with the Indian team across the three tournaments in 19■2 gave the team two results that were never equalled by any Indian team for many decades. In our meetings subsequently, he would always remember the good times and not let us feel the burden of the one big loss. He would lightheartedly also remind me of the days when he pulled me up on the odd occasion for violating team curfew timings!
The discipline that he maintained enabled him to retain a sharp memory and excellent health. He always alluded to his glass of cold milk that was the secret of his tness and immense energy. During our last meeting in March this year, he had the same angelic smile and maintained the poise and serenity that he had when I rst met him. At age 95 and mobbed by many admirers, he took the time to say, “No. 4 (my shirt number), how are you and how is your friend Joe (Joaquim Carvalho).” His passing is a personal loss since I was greatly inuenced by his managerial style.
Hockey has lost its brightest star, signalling the end of an era. RIP Balbir Sir. Thank you for inspiring a generation of hockey players.