Revisiting independent India's 1st Olympic gold medal win in hockey

India defeated Great Britain 4-0 to win the nation's first Olympic gold in hockey in front of a packed Wembley Stadium, London.

Hyderabad: 72 years ago, on August 12, newly independent nation, India, tasted its first Olympic success winning a gold medal in hockey. The Indian team led by K.D. Singh poured in four goals without conceding any against its former colonial ruler Great Britain before a packed Wembley Stadium to retain the Olympic title. Overall, it was India's fourth successive Olympic gold in hockey.

India won the title earlier in 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, 1932 Los Angeles Olympics and 1936 Berlin Olympics. Because of World War II, the 1940 and 1944 Olympics Games were postponed. Due to the same reason, India couldn't anymore pertain service of ageing Hockey Wizard Dhyan Chand for the London Games. In the previous three occasions, Dhyan Chand played a pivotal role in helping British India complete a hat-trick of Olympic gold in a team sport.

Independent India's first Olympic gold medal in hockey.

Thus a young Indian team which featured players like Balbir Singh Senior and Keshav Chandra Datt took the task of retaining India's domination in the world of hockey. In Group A fixtures India finished on top of the table with 6 points from three wins. In the opening match, Balbir Singh Senior notched up a hat-trick in his Olympic debut that India won 9 - 1 against Argentina. In the following matches, India scored 8 goals against Austria and 2 against Spain.

In the semifinal, India defeated the Netherlands 2-1.

In the much anticipated final against host Great Britain, G. Singh put India on top scoring in the third minute of the first half. Seven minutes later, Jansen got the second goal to help India take 2-0 lead.

G. Singh netted the third goal for India 20 minutes into the second half. Trilochan Singh scored the fourth goal 11 minutes later to register a thumping 4-0 victory over the former colonial power.

Indian players displayed tremendous agility. Due to inclement weather, the turf was muddy and chilly breeze had thrown a challenge to the Indian players. But they didn't bog down to the challenge as they defied the odds and beat the British side with a mesmerizing body swerve, ball-controlling skills, passing and shrewd ball placement and positioning. Great Britain, who earlier won the 1908 and 1920 Olympics gold, looked hapless and fell perry to the Indians' overwhelming team spirit and skills.

Balbir Singh Senior on top of the podium with the gold medal.

A media report published after India's 1948 Olympic hockey final win, stated that "Indian players could have scored more if Great Britain had deployed any other goalkeeper instead of Brodie. He made save after save and turned India back from what appeared to be certain scores."

As the referee blew the final whistle, Indian players left 10,000 spectators stunned in a 70-minute exhibition of thrilling hockey. It was independent India's 1st Olympic gold medal in hockey.

India finished the tournament scoring whopping 25 goals and conceded only two against them. It is an achievement that showcases how dominant the Indian hockey team was in the 1948 Olympics.