New Delhi: It has been 34 years since India last won a Hockey World Cup but on home soil in a few months time they will have a chance to rewrite history.
The last and the only time the Indians brought the World Cup trophy home was in 1975. On the other hand Pakistan have achieved the feat four times.
Now as the Indians gear up to host the tournament, the arch-rivals have been clubbed together in the group of death with Australia and Spain also in contention for the two spots up for grabs for the semi-finals.
As India and Pakistan prepare for yet another high voltage meeting in the group stages, former players are quick to warn the hosts against repeating the mistakes they had committed against their rivals in the Champions Challenge recently.
"We gave them a lot of space and our defence was weak. Pakistan still play with five forwards and they also scored," said former Indian hockey team skipper Zafar Iqbal.
A good show in the World Cup will add to India's confidence after their third place finish in the Champions Challenge recently.
But 10 months before the mega event are the Indians looking good for the Commonwealth Games gold?
"I don't think so with Australia, New Zealand, England and Pakistan playing," said former India player Viren Rasquinha.
"I think we will try to be on the podium at the second or the third place," added Iqbal.
Clearly, the stick work needs some honing up if India are to prove a point in the Commonwealth Games.
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