he talented son of Hockey
Wizard Dhyan Chand, Ashok Kumar is best known for scoring the goal that gave India the
1975 World Cup.
In that classic India-Pakistan final, Pakistan took the lead in the 17th minute through inside-right Zahid who scored a brilliant field goal after Islahuddin ran down the right flank like a sprinter and did the spadework.
Burly Indian full-back Surjit Singh equalized off a penalty corner in the 25th minute with a sizzling drive.
Then came the goal by master-dribbler Ashok Kumar that sealed the fate of Pakistan. Malaysian referee Vijayanathan, caught in two minds whether to award a penalty corner or not, pointed to the centre-spot. Thus did India win its only World Cup title.
This India-Pakistan classic was broadcast live by Akashvani, shown tape-delayed on Doordarshan, and resulted in a tremendous upsurge in popularity of hockey in India. This victory was India's only win in the decade of the 70s.
Photo Courtesy : Wills Book of Excellence - Hockey