Dhyan Chand - The Legend Lives On

Biography of Hockey Wizard Dhyan Chand
By Niket Bhushan, Wiley Eastern Ltd., 1992

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Binder
Binder
Binder
Binder
Binder
Binder
Binder
Binder
Binder
Binder
Page 4 Page 5 Page 6

The Wizard Retires

"For the city of Calcutta, I have nothing but  admiration. The public of this city has always been kind to me ever since that day in 1928 when I first played here.

To Pankaj Gupta, I owe a special debt of gratitude. And to the young players of today I say - Keep the flag of India flying high."

Typical of Dhyan Chand, he did not mention the glory he brought to India in 3 Olympics.

Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12

n 1948, Dhyan Chand retired from first class hockey. He only played for the Army or in exhibition matches from this time on. In March 1949, Dhyan Chand led the Eastern Command to victory in an army hockey event in Calcutta.

In May 1949, the Indian Olympic team played against a 'Rest of India' side captained by Dhyan Chand at Calcutta. Dhyan Chand accepted the offer to play against the Indian team because he wanted to assess the standard of the national team. The crowd that gathered to see the match was the largest that Dhyan Chand had seen in India. The gate collection on that one day amounted to Rs. 14,928.

The choice of his team was left to Dhyan Chand. The Olympic team beat Dhyan Chand's 'Rest of India' 2-1 after a great deal of difficulty. Dhyan Chand scored the lone goal for his team, that reminded the press of his form.

After the 1949 Beighton Cup final, there was an exhibition match between Bengal and Rest of India that ended in a goalless draw. This was the 'culminating point' of his hockey career, in the words of Dhyan Chand.

Like Bradman's last innings, Dhyan Chand's last major hockey match was barren. "What Bradman is to Australia and world cricket, Dhyan Chand is to India and world hockey," wrote a Calcutta daily. The Bengal Hockey Association presented Dhyan Chand with a silver cigarette case.

On his retirement, Dhyan Chand said, "I am grateful to you all for your kind thoughts and actions. What little I have done in the field of hockey has been due to the kindness and affection of the officials and fans of this great game. I am a soldier, and as such, not used to public speaking. All the same, I feel it my duty to convey to you my most grateful thanks.

For the city of Calcutta, I have nothing but  admiration, and this will last till the end of my life. The public of this city has always been kind to me ever since that day in 1928, nearly two decades ago, when I first played here. I have been fortunate to continue to have their affection.

To Pankaj Gupta, my old friend, I owe a special debt of gratitude. And to the young players of today I say - Keep the flag of India flying high."

Typical of Dhyan Chand, he did not mention in his retirement speech any of the glory he had brought to India in 3 Olympics.

Divider

Two Legends

Centre-forward Dhyan Chand (1928-36 gold) with centre-forward Balbir Singh Sr. (1948-56 gold)

Divider