Once upon a time when the British ruled India, India ruled the world. From 1928 to 1956, a bunch of men, armed with wooden sticks curved at one end, went on a winning spree across the world, conquering everything that came their way.

An eight-year lull followed which was enough to recharge them for another shot at glory in 1964. One had to wait 16 long years before they won again. That was in 1980.

Indian hockey has gone downhill since, reaching its lowest point in 2008 when the team failed to even qualify for the Beijing Games.

It was the first time in eight decades, since their maiden appearance in 1928, that the eight-time Olympic champions were not seen in action at the quadrennial event./

In just a fortnight’s time, the 30th edition of the Olympics begins in London, the third time since 1908 and 1948 that the iconic city is hosting the Games.

Thanks to a favourable draw and weak opposition in the qualifying tournament, held in New Delhi in February, India made it to the Games. The real test begins now.

The normal Indian sports fan loves to thrive on hope. And hype. The good part is, this time there is neither hope, nor hype, as far our chances in hockey are concerned.

Much of that has to do with the continuing infighting among the hockey fraternity of the country, which has only added to the fans’ disappointment. But that’s another story.

The facts do not paint a rosy picture. The once-mighty India are currently ranked a lowly 10th in the world. Of the 12 teams in fray, only Belgium and South Africa are behind them, at 11th and 12th respectively.

Barring the Olympic qualifying tournament, which India won to book their tickets to London, the other results have not looked very promising in the run-up to the Games.

Even at the Azlan Shah tournament in May-June, normally considered a happy hunting ground for the Indians, they finished third, despite going in with a full-strength side.

Also, India have been quite vocal about their dislike for the blue turf, which is being introduced at the 2012 Games for the first time.

They even blamed their last-place finish at the Olympic test event, held in April-May at the same Riverbank Arena where the Games’ hockey competition will be played, on the “bouncy and slippery” surface.

Indian coach Michael Nobbs is candid enough to admit that he will be happy with a top-six finish. “I can only say that the boys are confident of doing well. We have worked really hard over the last few months. It’s difficult to predict where we’ll finish. If luck favours us, we can do wonders. But considering everything, I would be happy with a top-six finish,” Nobbs said, just before the team’s departure for London.

But even for the straight-talking Australian’s rather realistic expectations, the task won’t be easy. India are placed in a tough Pool B alongside Germany, Korea, New Zealand, Belgium and the Netherlands. Barring the Belgians, the other four teams are not just ranked higher, but are tough opponents too.

While the Germans and the Dutch are proven hockey powers, the Kiwis have struck a rich vein of form in recent months, and their Azlan Shah triumph shows they will be no pushovers.

The Koreans might not have looked at their best going by current form, but they have the ability to stun the best of sides on their day. India, definitely, have a tough task at hand, and Nobbs is aware of that.

“Our pool is perhaps the toughest. The boys realise the enormity of the task and know what to do. Much will depend on our first game (against the Netherlands). We must win that, as that will ease a lot of the pressure off our heads. New Zealand have looked very strong recently, they are the most-improved side of all. It won’t be easy, but we are ready for the challenge,” Nobbs asserts.

If past can be taken as an inspiration, India have a ready reckoner. In their last Olympic outing in London, in 1948, the hockey team won the gold, their fourth on the trot.

It was also independent India’s first sporting achievement. They won four more gold after that, the last one coming 32 years back. History has an uncanny knack of repeating itself. So, who knows…

KEY PLAYERS/

Sardar Singh

Coach Nobbs may have not handed the captain’s armband to this playmaker, but everyone knows what this sturdy lad from Chandigarh is capable of. Besides being gifted with an impeccable craft of generating defence-splitting passes from awkward positions, Sardar has the speed and presence of mind to rush back and help in defence. These attributes easily make him the man to be heavily relied upon.

Sandeep Singh

When it comes to the art of drag-flicking, Sandeep is second to none. Recently, it was concluded that Sandeep’s drag-flicks are the most powerful ones in modern hockey. With a high short-corner conversion rate, Sandeep will be the man most feared by India’s opponents. The only hurdle, however, remains the consistency at which the Indian forwards earn those short-corners.

Gurbaj Singh

What Gurbaj brings to the table is his amazing knack to attack. People who follow the national sport closely, will swear by his ability to blaze past the rival defence. His speed is electrifying, and his stick work terrific. The only flaw he needs to rectify, and quickly at that, is his role as defensive midfielder. He has been found a bit shaky on that front. Despite the small chink in his armour, Gurbaj will be extremely critical for India in the midfield.

SV Sunil

After a long time, here’s an Indian winger blessed with both speed and skill. His runs through the right flank during the Azlan Shah tournament, where India took the bronze, were a testimony to his abilities. Sunil not only creates passes, but is extremely swift in getting into scoring positions and converting half-chances. Nobbs will not only expect Sunil to score goals at the Olympics, but also create short corners.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths

The midfield. Sardar Singh has been outstanding here. His thoughtful scheming, through passes and exemplary attacking skills will hold the key for India. The skills of Gurbaj Singh and Manpreet will come in handy too.

Weaknesses

Defence. It has been India’s achilles heel for some time now. Both Sandeep Singh and VR Raghunath aren’t the best of movers and fall behind in anticipation and clean tackling. Ignace Tirkey will have to shoulder a big burden here.

Opportunities

A chance to make history in a city where India won its first gold as an independent nation, and the return to Olympic fold after missing out on Beijing 2008 should spur Nobbs’ boys. Three other teams of almost equal standing – Korea, New Zealand and Belgium too should make things easier.

Threats

The blue turf. India have struggled owing to lack of enough exposure, while the other teams have not.

GOLDEN ERA

The period from 1928 to 1956 is called the ‘Golden Era of Indian Hockey’. During that 28-year period, India won the Olympic hockey gold six consecutive times. In all, India played 24 Olympic matches, won all 24, scored 178 goals (averaging 7.43 goals per match) and conceded only seven goals. India also won the gold at the 1964 ( Tokyo) and the 1980 ( Moscow) Olympics, for a total of eight gold medals. Fittingly enough, India and Britain clashed in the final, with India winning 4-0.

The Squad:

Goalkeepers: Bharat Chetri (captain), PR Sreejesh

Defenders: VR Raghunath, Ignace Tirkey, Sandeep Singh

Midfielders: Sardar Singh (vice-captain), Gurbaj Singh, Birendra Lakra, Manpreet Singh

Forwards: SV Sunil, Gurvinder Singh Chandi, Shivendra Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Tushar Khandker, Dharamvir Singh, SK Uthappa

Coach: Michael Nobbs