'Your victory contributes towards my good health' - Balbir Singh Sr had an encounter with MS Dhoni during T20 World Cup in 2016

Balbir Singh Sr, on Monday, left the world in shock as he breathed his last at Fortis Hospital in Mohali. The entire sports fraternity mourned the demise of the hockey legend as he passed away at the age of 95. After Major Dhyanchand, Singh was considered as an integral part of the rich hockey history of India.

Balbir Singh Sr had scored five goals in India’s 6-1 victory over the Netherlands in the gold medal match at the 1952 Helsinki Games, which till date remains a Guinness World Record. He was also appointed as the manager of the national team for some time after he bid adieu to the sport.

Over his golden years with Indian hockey, Balbir Singh Sr etched many records to his name. He also broke the record for scoring the most number of goals in a World Cup final by smashing five goals against the Netherlands. For his extensive contribution to the sport, he was also honoured with the Padma Shri in 1957.

After his demise, many sportspersons including cricketers condoled his demise and offered a tribute to the legendary player. Along with many other stars of the Indian team, current India skipper Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri also mourned the loss of the hockey veteran.

Balbir Singh Sr had passed on wishes to Indian cricket team

Apart from hockey, the hockey legend also loved to watch cricket and he had an encounter with the then India skipper MS Dhoni during the T20 World Cup 2016. India were about to lock horns with Australia in a crucial game at Mohali when Balbir Singh Sr wanted to convey his wishes to the side.

After Balbir Singh Sr passed on his wishes, MS Dhoni thanked him and enquired about his health. To which, the hockey legend had a rather cheeky reply for Dhoni as he said, “Your victory contributes towards my good health.”

In the do or die game, India was successful in defeating the Kangaroos as a vital partnership between Dhoni and Kohli paved the way for the triumph. “I came to wish the team to win their third world title and complete their own golden hat-trick,” Singh had said during the match as quoted by Hindustan Times.