Who are the top 10 Indian hockey players with most medals at Olympics?

When it comes to Hockey, India is one of the most successful countries in the world. Hockey has taken India to the top of the podium 12 times. Among such victories are eight gold, one silver, and three bronze medals. Hockey was first introduced on the Olympic front in 1908. India established dominance in the sport by winning 6 consecutive Gold medals.

3 things you need to know

• India has a rich history when it comes to hockey
• India have clinched a total of 12 medals in Olympics
• India won bronze in 2020 Tokyo Olympics

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Considering India's rich heritage in Hockey, it's no wonder that some of the game's best players have come from India. Here are the top 10 Indians in terms of Olympic medal count:

10.Grahanandan Singh

Grahanandan Singh was a member of the Indian team that won gold medals in both the 1948 and 1932 Olympics. The former Asian Hockey Federation Vice President played one match in each campaign, winning two gold medals. Singh competed in a preliminary round match against Spain at the 1948 Olympics in London, which India won 2-0. Singh played only one match at the following Olympics in Helsinki, a semi-final match against Great Britain, which India won 3-1.

9.Keshav Dutt

Keshav Dutt is regarded as one of India's top centre half-backs. He has two Olympic gold medals to his name, which he earned during India's victories in 1948 and 1952 Olympics. In his nine-year career, the halfback made 22 international appearances for India. In 2019, Keshav Dutt became the first non-footballer to earn the Mohun Bagan award.

8.Prithipal Singh

Prithipal Singh, known as the "King of Short Corners," has three Olympic gold to his name. He has each of the elements to his name, gold, silver, and bronze medals from the 1964, 1960, and 1968 Olympics, respectively. Prithitipal, who primarily played halfback, was a prolific goal scorer. In the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, India won gold, scoring 22 goals, 11 of which were scored by Prithipal alone. Prithipal Singh was the first hockey player to receive the Arjuna Award in 1961.

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7.Shankar Lakshman

Shankar Lakshman was a custodian who became the first in history to captain an international hockey team. The former Indian captain earned three Olympic gold medals for India, two of which were gold. The two gold medals were won in the Olympics of 1956 and 1964, while the silver medal was earned in the Olympics of 1960. In the 1964 Olympic final versus Pakistan, the custodian was chosen man of the match.

6.Ranganathan Francis

Ranganathan Francis led India to three Olympic gold medals. He was a custodian on the Indian team that won three gold medals in a row in 1948, 1952, and 1956. In all three of those seasons, Francis was mostly the backup custodian. Ranganathan Francis and Richard Allen are India's only goalkeepers who have won three gold medals.

5.Randhir Singh Gentle

Randhir Singh Gentle was a fullback for India's Olympic squad that won three consecutive gold medals from 1948 to 1956. He played a particularly important role at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, when he also commanded the squad. Gentle concluded the 1956 season with six goals, including the game-winning goal against Pakistan in the final.

4.Richard Allen

Richard Allen won three gold medals in three straight victories for India in 1928, 1932, and 1936. He played in five Olympic games without surrendering a goal in 1928. He played four games at the 1936 Olympics, allowing only one goal. Allen's Olympic record of conceding only two goals in three seasons stands to this day.

3.Dhyan Chand

Dhyan Chand is unquestionably the best Indian hockey player of all time, and one of the best in the game's history. He is known as 'The Wizard,' and he holds multiple records. Chand, known for his outstanding ball control and goal-scoring ability, led India to three Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936. The striker scored 33 goals in the three editions, which includes a hat-trick in the 1936 Berlin Olympics final versus Germany. 'The Wizard' appeared in 185 international matches for India, scoring 570 goals.

2.Udham Singh Kular

Udham Singh Kular is one of India's most renowned hockey players. For India, the center-forward won three gold medals and one silver. Gold medals were won in 1952, 1956, and 1964, with silver coming in the 1958 Olympics. Udham was also scheduled to compete in the 1948 Olympics but was forced to withdraw owing to an injury. Singh was a talented player who filled a variety of positions throughout his career. The forward went on to coach the Indian team, leading them to a bronze medal in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.

1.Leslie Claudius

Aside from Udham Singh, Leslie Claudius is the only other Indian hockey player who have won four medals to his name. Among the four medals are three gold and one silver. Gold medals were awarded in 1948, 1952, and 1956. Claudius led the Indian team to a silver medal in the 1960 Olympics, which was coached by Dhyan Chand. The halfback was the first Indian hockey player to win four Olympic medals, as well as the first to earn 100 international caps for his country.