Best wishes, Indian hockey

Sit back, relax and enjoy.

The greatest sporting extravaganza is about to permeate our lives next week. London 2012 is almost here. And we have an Indian hockey team at the OGs after 8 long and agonizing years. To paraphrase Nehru’s fabled words; “Indian hockey has a tryst with history”, and that day is July 30th. Millions of Indian hockey fans will wait with baited breath to see what India does against the Dutch in the opening match at the games for India.

But what will India do? The answer to this question has vexed us hockey lovers. To answer the question and get a definitive reply, ask me on August 7th, after the match with the Belgians. In the absence of hindsight, all I can say is that India will be a surprise package. The nature of surprise is the question now.

To use another adage – luck favors the brave. If each of the 16 Indians who will step on the field, play a selfless game for flag and country – pitting their soul, mind and body into every match, the surprise will be a pleasant one. I’m certain that is what we shall see – India rattling the timbers of many other fancied teams. India, ranked 10th, has nothing to lose. We are about to see India pulling out all the stops and going for broke. In the players’ mind, every match is there for winning. Reach for the sky – It’s now or never.

For many of the players, this would be their last shot at glory. There is no greater stage in world hockey than the Olympics. And they know it. If we have dreamed about it in color, they have dreamt about in dazzling neon. They will deliver.

We have dreamed in a different color scheme this time – blue, pink and orange. At least the previous combination of green and white represented 2 colors of our tricolor. But never mind, the color of the turf, is just that and no more. A win, even in shades of grey, is a win. And London could be a lot of grey, windy and wet. But these are mere hindrances to a single-minded team.

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna, ab hamare dil mein hai; dekhna hai zor kitna baazu-e-katil mein hain

The results of the preparatory matches that India recently played with France, England, SA, Spain etc. were just that – Preparatory matches. No team plays in top gear in these matches. They are meant to test, check out combinations, gauge opponents and get in the right frame of mind for the big one. The results were not very favorable, but I won’t worry too much about it. It’s what they do at the OGs that counts, and they are about to do things that will really count.

So millions of Indians are with the team, hoping for a swan-song finish and wishing them the best to come out with their heads held high. Go, play your hearts out, none of us will begrudge the results as long as you 16 play the best you ever have. Remember – luck favours the brave.

Sit back, relax and enjoy.