five months in Australia, imparting hockey knowledge. Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Fraser, a hockey umpire, praised Balkrishan's services when he met his counterpart Morarji Desai later. Balkrishan, 35, coached the 1968 Mexico Olympic team for a bronze medal. His boys won the gold at the Moscow Olympics. He was recalled for the next Olympics only after India fared poorly in the Bombay World Cup and in the Delhi Asian Games in between. Meanwhile, he put together a girls' team for the Delhi Asian Games—they won it! In the run up to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, his team set up a tremendous record, but the players' greed and lack of discipline spoilt the whole show at Barcelona—a sad end to an illustrious career. But his efforts in giving India a meaningful coaching perspective cannot be denied. Had he ever been given a four-year tenure, the history of Indian hockey would not have been as discouraging as it is now. Based on his research, Balkrishan proposed abolition of penalty corners and striking circle in order to make the game simple. He welcomed the introduction of artificial playing surfaces. He was the first Indian coach to adopt the 4-4-2-1 style. He metamorphosed the unique Indian traits in the concept of total hockey which earned him many laurels in the 80s. References External links Obituary 1933 births 2004 deaths Sportspeople from Patiala Field hockey players from Punjab, India Olympic field hockey players of India Olympic gold medalists for India Field hockey players at the 1956 Summer Olympics Indian male field hockey players Recipients of the Arjuna Award Olympic medalists in field hockey Asian Games medalists in field hockey Field hockey players at the 1958 Asian Games Medalists at the 1956 Summer Olympics Asian Games silver medalists for India Medalists at the 1958 Asian Games Indian field hockey coaches