At 50, Dhanraj Pillay recalls India-Pakistan rivalry and Hockey India's apathy

Off the field, Pillay boldly took on the administration, whenever they erred and always fought for the players. That's probably one of the reasons he failed to land himself a coaching job with the national team, for which he's hurting

It is said that blood oozed almost as much as the skillful dribbles in India vs Pakistan hockey matches of yesteryear. India hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay was among the prime witnesses to the intensity of this fabled hockey rivalry that is almost non-existent today. Pillay turned 50 yesterday, and despite having played four World Cups, four Asian Games, and four Olympics among a host of other tournaments between 1989 and 2004, he chose to recall a highpoint of his stellar career from an India vs Pakistan Test at Lahore's national stadium in 1998.

"As soon as we got off our bus at the Lahore Stadium, a group of Pakistani gentlemen came to me and said, 'Aaj dekhtein hain yeh Dhanraj Pillay mein kitna dum hai [today let's see what Dhanraj Pillay is made of]. The match was a classic and while we were leading 4-3, with a couple of minutes of play left, spectators began throwing stones at us on the ground.

That 1998 classic
"Our manager MM Somaya, fearing for our safety, asked me if we should leave the ground but I said no because if we left, the match would be abandoned and we would be denied an important victory. I had also just scored one of the best goals of my career — a solo effort after running in circles around the Pakistan defence. After a brief halt, play resumed and we won. Then, while we were about to enter our team bus to leave, the old gentlemen returned and said, 'Aaj maan gaye, Dhanraj mein wakayee dum hai.

Hum dua karengay ki aap aisi his achchi hockey khelte raho [we accept that Dhanraj is indeed great and pray that you always play well like this]. My hero and Pakistan hockey's legendary striker Hassan Sardar was in the crowd too and later told me that he loved my goal. That was no less than an Olympic medal for me," said Pillay.

Off the field, Pillay boldly took on the administration, whenever they erred and always fought for the players. That's probably one of the reasons he failed to land himself a coaching job with the national team, for which he's hurting.

Unending wait
"I have waited for the last 14 years, but neither Hockey India nor the Indian government has shown interest in utilising my services in any capacity. Experts believe that the current national team's forward line is a bit weak when it comes to finishing inside the striking circle. That is something I was pretty good at, and I'm willing to help the team but Indian hockey doesn't seem to need Dhanraj Pillay now," he signed off.

Also Read: Jwala Gutta: I was afraid of Dhanraj Pillay

Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!