The early 1970s was hard on hockey lovers in India. In an era when anything less than an Olympic hockey gold was considered a failure, only bronze medals had come India’s way after Tokyo 1964. Even in World Cups, a top podium spot was elusive.
In Barcelona 1971, when the first World Cup was hosted, India finished third while Pakistan lifted the trophy. Amstelveen 1973 was heartbreak central. India led 2-0 against Netherlands in the final before agonisingly going down on penalty strokes. India missed a penalty stroke during ‘sudden death.’ A conversion would have resulted in an instant triumph. But it was not to be.
