Shankar Lakshman Biography 
Shankar Lakshman was an Indian hockey player, who served as goalkeeper for national team. He represented India at 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympics, and guarded his team’s goal post. He also scored unique achievements in these Olympics tournaments as India claimed two gold medals and one silver medal in these three Olympic events, where Shankar served as goalkeeper. Thus he played a magnificent role behind India’s basking glory in the glorious era of Indian hockey. For his overall contributions towards the field of Indian sports and hockey, government of India honoured him with Padma Shri in 1967 and Arjuna Award in 1964. When he missed the team chosen for 1968 Olympics, he quit the sport, and got associated with Indian army. He lost his life to gangrene.
Shankar Lakshman, nicknamed ‘Rock of Gibraltor’ was born in 1933 in Mhow of British India. His birthplace is now a part of Indore district in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Initially he was a footballer, and he also served as the team captain of his local team of his village, Kodaria in Mhow. In 1947 he joined Indian army as a bandsman and served in the 5th Battalion of Maratha Light Infantry. He switched from football to hockey after that. His professional career as a hockey player began in 1955 playing for Services.
Within a short period, he earned praises for his goalkeeping skills, and very soon he earned a place in national team. He was the goalkeeper of Indian team which played 1956 Olympics. But his most memorable match, perhaps the best performance of his career is the final of 1960 Olympics which India played against Pakistan. India defeated Pakistan 1–0 and Shankar was declared Man of the Match for his goalkeeping. After defeat, Pakistan’s Major General Musa’s words, “Give us Joginder and Shankar Lakshman, we will defeat you” is a true tribute to the legend. In 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok, he led team India as captain and won a gold by defeating Pakistan in the finals.
Published: January 30, 2019
Updated: January 30, 2019
