"India vs Pakistan pehla hockey Test. Islahuddin aur Samiullah dono aa rahe hai. Bataiye result kya hoga (First Test between India and Pakistan. Both Islahuddin and Samiullah are coming. Guess the result)," Amol Palekar's character Ram Prasad Sharma says as he excitedly discusses hockey with his uncle in the renowned 1979 comedy Gol Maal.
That was an era when hockey was the pre-eminent sport in South Asia and the two countries were masters of the game, winning whatever there was to. "We used to sing songs during our matches. That just showed how confident the two teams were," the same Islahuddin Siddiqui, a two-time world champion with Pakistan, told this correspondent in an earlier interview.
While the global dominance decreased in the 1990s and 2000s, falling behind the European teams and Australia, the two outfits were still evenly matched, giving a tough fight to each other.
There were stars in the team that people would turn up to watch in packed houses. Pakistan had Sohail Abbas, Rehan Butt, Shakeel Abbasi while India had charismatic wizards like Dhanraj Pillay, Dilip Tirkey and Jugraj Singh. Even the India-Pakistan game at the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi saw 16,000 fans turning up at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, the only contest of the tournament that saw a full house.
This story is from the August 09, 2023 edition of Hindustan Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 09, 2023 edition of Hindustan Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Bracelet confessions: Are Khushi-Vedang Insta official?
After dodging questions around their rumoured romance for almost a year, actors Khushi Kapoor and Vedang Raina may have finally let the cat out of the bag – thanks to a bracelet.
SANJAY BANGAR'S KID ARYAN IS NOW ANAYA
The former cricketer's child Anaya has gone viral after sharing her transition story
A nice change of pace: Rithvik on surprise birthday trip to Dubai
Actor Rithvik Dhanjani turned 36 in style this month (on November 5), celebrating with friends on a lavish cruise in Dubai.
Gambhir bats for KL Rahul to open if Rohit misses first Test
For India players, young and old, the tour of Australia is a chance to show how good they really are
SANGITA'S DOUBLE HANDS INDIA WIN OVER MALAYSIA IN OPENING MATCH
Young striker Sangita Kumari scored a brace as defending champions India defeated Malaysia 4-0 to open their campaign at the women's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament on a confident note on Monday.
Ruud beats Alcaraz in ATP Finals opener
Norway's Casper Ruud eased to a straight-sets victory over Carlos Alcaraz as the Spanish star's bid for a maiden ATP Finals title got off to a poor start.
Imagine how many countries have players like KL, who can actually open, can bat at No.6 as well... he can do the job for us, if Rohit is not available for the first Test
The players left in two batches and will be there well in time for the series opener, but settling down is not going to be easy.
Usha and IOA EC members in row over Natl Games
The announcement of dates for next year's National Games in Uttarakhand has sparked a fresh row between Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha and its executive committee members.
The Gambhir-Rohit chemistry faces big test in Australia series
India coach Gautam Gambhir's media conference on Monday morning before leaving for Australia was so last minute that it couldn't be arranged in the hotel the squad members were staying in.
Chakravarthy gets second wind in spin tale for India
It's rare that spinners take to South African pitches with relish.
