1975 heroes urge India to end 51-year World Cup drought

The Story in Brief

Two heroes of India's only men's hockey World Cup triumph in 1975, Ashok Kumar and Aslam Sher Khan, have urged the current team to put country before self and end the 51-year wait for a medal. Speaking before the upcoming World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium (August 15-30), Ashok, who scored the winning goal in the 1975 final, said victory or defeat belongs to the nation, not the individual. Aslam, who scored the equaliser in the semi-final that year, called for the same 'play for motherland' passion that drove their team.

India has won only one World Cup, beating Pakistan 2-1 in Kuala Lumpur in 1975. Since then, the best finish has been fifth (1994) and the team placed ninth in the 2023 edition. However, the Harmanpreet Singh-led side has won bronze at the last two Olympics (Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024). Aslam noted the different pressures of Olympics and World Cup, but said playing with the same spirit as in Paris can bring a podium finish after 51 years.