Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Hockey World Cup: India urged to rediscover 1975 spirit
The Hockey World Cup is a big tournament where countries play field hockey, and it has just started.
India is playing in it, and some people are thinking about the last time India won the whole thing.
That was in 1975, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, when India beat Pakistan in the final.
Back then, the team stayed close and did things together, which many people say helped them win.
Aslam Sher Khan scored an important extra-time goal to help India reach that final.
But winning is not easy — in 1973, India lost the final to the Netherlands on penalties.
The women's team captain, Salima Tete, promised a gold medal, but the men's coach, Craig Fulton, said India only has a 5 per cent chance.
The article says the current team should learn from 1975 — play as one group and stay focused.
The article also asks whether a new saffron-coloured jersey, which caused a debate, might distract the players.
The Hockey World Cup has begun, with coach Craig Fulton giving India's men's team a 5 per cent chance of winning.
Women's captain Salima Tete promised a gold medal, while coaches reportedly avoided predicting how well India would do.
India's only World Cup title came in 1975 at Kuala Lumpur, where it beat Pakistan in the final.
In the 1973 final, Surjit Singh's two penalty-corner goals were answered by Ties Kruize, and India lost to the Netherlands on penalties after sudden-death extra time.
Hockey India's saffron-coloured jersey, introduced just before the World Cup, triggered a sharp debate and forced players to defend the kit.
- Who
- India's men's hockey team and coach Craig Fulton, women's captain Salima Tete, and historical figures including 1975 captain Ajitpal Singh and coach Balbir Singh Sr.
- What
- A look at India's Hockey World Cup campaign and its history, recalling the 1975 title win, the 1973 final loss to the Netherlands, the 1971 semi-final defeat by Pakistan, and the debate over a new saffron jersey.
- When
- The current World Cup has just begun; the earlier editions discussed were held in 1971, 1973 and 1975.
- Where
- Past World Cups in Barcelona (1971), Amstelveen (1973) and Kuala Lumpur (1975); the venue of the current tournament is not stated in the article.
- Why
- To argue that India must rediscover the team spirit and cohesion of 1975, because in the current format every match and every round count and a single mistake will cost.
Supporting view
Opposing view
Saffron jersey
Supporting view
Hockey India introduced the saffron jersey before the World Cup, and players voiced support for the new kit.
Opposing view
Critics called the decision inexplicable, arguing it dragged religion into sport, distracted the team and forced players to publicly defend it.
India's chances
Supporting view
Salima Tete promised a gold medal, and the author hopes the men's team can reach the last four.
Opposing view
Craig Fulton put India's chances at 5 per cent, and coaches were reportedly evasive about how well India would do.
- Event
- Hockey World Cup (ongoing)
- India's World Cup medals
- 3 (1971, 1973, 1975)
- India's World Cup titles
- 1 (1975, Kuala Lumpur)
- 1973 final result
- India lost to the Netherlands 2-4 on penalties after 115 minutes
- Men's head coach
- Craig Fulton
- India's estimated chance of winning
- 5 per cent (per Craig Fulton)
- Women's team captain
- Salima Tete
- New team jersey
- Saffron-coloured kit introduced by Hockey India before the World Cup