Fans cheered from every corner of the country as the Manpreet Singh-led Indian men's hockey team reached the semi-finals of the ongoing Tokyo Olympics on Sunday. The elation was worth it as the national sport had taken a backward step in the last decade as performances had dried up. But this team means business and the way they have made a comeback in the tournament after losing to Australia 7-1, speaks volumes about the grit and determination of the players.

And after Sunday's comprehensive win over Great Britain in the quarters, it finally looks like the glory days are back. For a country that didn't put a foot wrong in the game from 1950-1980, the recent past had been anything but disappointing. But as the team gears up to play the semi-finals of the Olympics after a span of 49 years - the 1980 edition didn't have semi-finals - one must remember that the journey has been possible as much for the off-field efforts as it has been for the display on it.