But India was a very mediocre team in those days. We were just not in the same league as Australia, Netherlands, Germany and Pakistan in the 80s, the era in which Shahid played.
Also, the author's contention that today it is less about skill and more about sheer power is wrong. If you look at the Australian style of hockey, it is about tremendous skill. no Indian hockey team in any era can even get close to the skill level and fitness level of the Australian team. No Indian hockey team can come even remotely close to the power and precision of the Dutch style of hockey. Suffice to say, we have lived off on past glory and are a relic of a bygone era.
Re: Shahid was a very good player
by bhaskar on Jul 30, 2016 04:23 PM
Indian were mediocre because speed took over the artistry. Our team could not compete on the highest platform due to lack of exposure of junior talent to the synthetic pitch. Morever , Indian hockey lost its grace to cricket ..
