It has been 27 years since India won any medal at the World Cup. Only 3 Indians, Mohinder Singh, Rajinder Singh and Mukesh Kumar have scored more than 2 goals in a single World Cup match. Only 2 Indians, Ashok Kumar, son of legendary Dhyan Chand, and Dhanraj Pillai, have participated in 4 World Cup tournaments. In the first 3 World Cups, India lost only one match during the entire tournament. In the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, India won only one match during the entire tournament. The performance of the Indian Hockey team in the World Cup of 1975 is the only one, where India did perform well and even got back the World Cup to India.

India beat England 2-1 in their opening match, with V. J. Philips scoring both goals off penalty strokes. India next drew 1-1 with Australia, with Govinda scoring a field goal in his inimitable style. India scored an easy 7-0 victory over Ghana. However, Argentina upset India 1-2, with Harcharan Singh scoring the sole goal for India. With a draw and a loss, the only option left for India was to beat Germany in their last pool match. Much to the delight of a 10,000-strong crowd, India defeated Germany 3-1, with goals by Harcharan Singh, Mohinder Singh and V. J. Philips.

A capacity crowd of 40,000 turned up at Merdeka Stadium for the semi-final between India and Malaysia. With a capacity crowd egging them on, and with millions watching live on television, Malaysia led 2-1 well into the game. As time ticked away for India, and with only 8 minutes left in the game, Aslam Sher Khan came in as a substitute for Michael Kindo. Ashok Kumar brought about the penalty corner for India. Aslam Sher Khan, son of the 1936 Olympian Ahmed Sher Khan, sent the ball in for the goal. It was 2-2 at the end of regulation.

In the third minute of extra-time, V. J. Philips sprinted down the right flank and sent in a sizzling cross to Harcharan, who made no mistake. The game was over for the spirited Malaysians, and India took her place in the final to play traditional rivals Pakistan. Pakistan took the lead through inside-right Zahid who scored a field goal after Islahuddin did the spadework going down the right flank. Then Indian full back Surjeet Singh equalised off a penalty corner in the 25th minute. Then came the controversial goal that sealed the fate of Pakistan. After a scuffle in the striking circle, master dribbler Ashok Kumar scored.The Malaysian referee Galasingham Vijayanathan was in two minds, whether to award a penalty corner or a goal, and finally awarded a goal. India held on to win 2-1. Pakistan had beaten India in the 1971 World Cup, but lost to India in the 1973 World Cup semi-final.

For the first time since 1964, India had won a world title. It was only the 5th victory against Pakistan in15 encounters.They had scored two goals against Pakistan for the first time. Millions of fans followed the dramatic final on Akashvani. Even Doordarshan showed the final later. India`s victory in the World Cup was celebrated with great joy with the entire team parading in different parts of the country. Hockey in India got a whole generation of young fans by that one world title. The 1975 World Cup was also a triumph for Asian Hockey, since 3 of the 4 semi-finalists were Asian. In no other World Cup was this feat repeated ever again.