Gurjit Kaur's penalty corner conversion was simply magnificent and it was her exploits that ensured India defeated three-time champions Australia to enter the semi-final of Tokyo Olympics 2020.
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1.3 billion hopes were pinned on Gurjit Kaur’s shoulders. It was the all-important moment for her and India in their hockey history. During the 22nd minute in the second quarter, India won a penalty corner. Sjoerd Marijne was praying hard. So were the millions in Amritsar and Miadi Kalan, her village. Gurjit Kaur stepped up and converted a penalty corner to give India the lead. The joy in the Indian camp was a sight to behold. To back up Gurjit’s effort, Savita Devi and the rest of the Indian defenders put their bodies on the line. They closed out all avenues for the Australian team to attack. Savita saved seven penalty corners.
After 60 minutes, the celebrations reached a crescendo. Gurjit Kaur had etched her name in the history books. Her goal ensured India would beat Australia and qualify for the semi-final. The exploits of the women’s team mirror that of the men’s side, who won four consecutive matches to put themselves one win away from a medal.
For Gurjit Kaur and Marijne, it was the redemption of the highest order. Years and years of practice for that particular moment all came about for a glorious win against Australia.
When Gurjit Kaur was picked in the India side in 2014, she did not cement her spot. She played several tournaments but lacked impact. As a penalty corner expert, Gurjit Kaur lacked some direction. But, this was where Sjoerd Marijne stepped up to give her direction. In 2018, Marijne told her to do two things. Number one was changing the stick that she employed.
When the Indian team went to Holland, Marijne told her to use a different stick that would give her power. In an interview to the Tribune, the change had worked. The earlier stick did not have enough power to dragflick the ball. Now, with a better stick, she managed to generate immense power. Apart from Marijne, Toon Siepman, the Dutch coach worked on her posture and footwork.
All this culminated to the penalty she took on Monday. In the earlier game against Germany, Gurjit missed a penalty corner and that really hurt India. But, from being down and out ahead of the game against Ireland, India women’s hockey team has out up a fantastic performance.
Gurjit Kaur has determination and fire to do well. Every player who has come into the India hockey team comes from the not-so-well-to-do countryside of India. Rani Rampal, Savita Punia, Deep Grace Ekka, Vandana Katariya, Salima Tete, and Sushila Chanu are all veterans. The core of the team has benefited immensely from having continuity. Rampal, Katariya, Savita, and Deep Grace have all played 200 internationals.
Somewhere down the line, the experience will come into effect. The India women’s hockey team has performed well in the Commonwealth, Asian, World Championship, and now in the Olympics. Gurjit’s past experiences make her the prime candidate to initiate a fairytale in Indian hockey.
In her childhood, Gurjit knew the pain of struggle. She had to travel 13 kms for quality education. But, with her parents not able to afford her traveling, Gurjit and her sister were sent to boarding school 70kms away. The school was located in Tarn Taran village in Kairon. Incidentally, Tarn Taran has produced one of the best hockey players from India. It is a village that has a superb hockey league to give Punjab their world-famous players. Gurjit stepped up to Hockey academies and honed her skills.
India hockey is staring at immense pain for the last 40 years. They will be hopeful that they can finally secure a medal and put hockey back on the map of India.
