4. London 1948 Summer Olympic Games
Kishan Lal was leading a team which was created after a valiant efforts from the Indian Hockey management. This was due to the reason that the country was into the first year of it as an Independent nation with many players who represented India previously would go to newly created Pakistan.
This was what would be called as the first Olympic Gold medal for an Independent India in Hockey. They had won five as Independent nation till this was written.
India played three matches in group stage, followed by Semifinals and final. It was again a five match winning streak for India under Kishan Lal. India scored an 8-0 win over Austria in their first match. Patrick Jansen topscored with 4 goals while KD Singh Babu scored a brace. Skipper Kishan Lal & Reginald Rodriques scored apiece.
In their second match of the group stage, India defeated Argentina 9-1 with Balbir Singh Dosanjh scoring 6 goals. Patrick Jansen & Kishan Lal hit the back of net twice and once respectively. Third match saw India take on Spain. They won the match 2-0 with KD Singh Babu and Trilochan Singh scoring apiece.
Table topper India faced Netherlands in the Semifinal. It was a close match as India won by just one goal in a 2-1 result. Gerry Glacken and KD Singh Babu were the two goalscorers for India. India would play final against hosts GB which India won 4-0 to inspire the entire nation. Balbir Singh Dosanjh scored twice while Patrick Jansen & Tarlochan Singh scored apiece.
This was the fourth Olympic Gold medal for India in Hockey (though all three before came under British rule). India, thus, won 4th of the 8 Olympic Hockey Gold medals. Balbir Singh Dosanjh was the highest goalscorer with 8 goals, despite playing just 2 matches.