Commonwealth Games 2018: Top 3 Indian hockey moments in CWG history

1. The Manchester Miracle (India vs England, 2002 CWG, women)

Jyoti Kullu (Representational Image)

No one, in their wildest dream had thought that the Indian women's team would win a medal in Commonwealth Games, forget gold. As expected, Indian team started the tournament in snail's pace, scoring three goals in as many matches to reach the quarterfinals of the tournament to face South Africa, who had scored 16 in three matches played at the tournament.

The quarterfinals began in the expected fashion and South Africa took a three-goal lead in the first half of the match. While fans expected the South African assault to continue in the second half as well, the Indian team though, had other plans.

Led by forwards Pritam Rani Swaich and Jyoti Kullu, Indian turned the three-goal deficit to 1 goal before defender Suman Bala scored the equalizer on the 65th minute of the game. Jyoti Kullu then scored again in extra time to help India reach the semi-finals for the first time.

India, buoyed by the win against South Africa, then beat sixth-ranked New Zealand to set up a match against hosts England in the finals.

England, ranked fifth in the world, compared to India’s 17th rankings, were considered the favourites to win the finals. The India and England women teams had been playing against each other since 1953 and it had been nearly 50 years since India had not managed to beat England in hockey.

With regulation time score ending with 2-2, Indian striker Mamta Kharab then scored on the 78th minute of the game to help India achieve in what could be termed as the biggest upset in the history of world hockey.