Undoubtedly at the peak of his prowess, he was handed the Indian team’s captaincy. The run-up to the Games was not exactly satisfactory. A 1-4 defeat to Germany in a practice game rang alarm bells in the Indian camp. Following a team meeting, it was decided to bring in Ali Iqtidar Shah Dara who was to represent Pakistan in the 1948 Olympics following the partition.

Hockey legend Dhyan Chand