Mohammad Shahid dies at 56; India loses its hockey wizard; 5 key takeaways

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Mohammad Shahid: One of the most gifted hockey players ever seen in India, Mohammad Shahid, who made his country proud with his stick wizardry and with the laurels he won for it, died at 10:45 a.m. this morning from multiple organ failure brought on after a sudden bout of jaundice and dengue that he contracted at the beginning of July. He was just 56. Shahid's dominating personality and excellent reading of the game made him a huge icon during his playing days and much beyond, one whom rivals feared to face. His death is a major loss to the sport and the country at large. Check out what made him such an iconic player: (Express Photo)

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1. Known for his exceptionally brilliant dribbling skills, that left even Pakistani players bamboozled, while Western players usually were left flat-footed, Mohammad Shahid was considered one of India's greatest hockey players. (Express Photo)

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2. Mohammad Shahid was part of the V Baskaran-led Indian team that went on to win a gold medal at the Moscow Olympics in 1980. Team-mate M K Kaushik remembers, "His dribbling skills played a crucial part in India winning the gold. There was no one who could match him whether it was a creating a penalty corner or firing a field goal". (Express Photo)

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3. Mohammad Shahid was the fulcrum around which revolved the Indian team that won a silver medal at the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi and four years down the line ensured India's credibility in the game was maintained at the highest level by winning the bronze medal in the Seoul Asiad in 1986. (Express Photo)

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4. The quality play of Mohammad Shahid was recognised very early by authorities as is reflected in the fact that he made his first appearance for India in 1979 at the Junior World Cup in France. He was very soon called into the senior team that year itself . Barely 1 year later he became an Olympic champion at Moscow. (Express Photo)

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5. Mohammad Shahid won the 'Best Forward player' award at the 1980 Champions Trophy in Karachi. Shahid went on to captain the Indian hockey team between 1985-1986.<br></br>Sports Minister Vijay Goel interacts with the CEO of Medanta Hospital Naresh Trehan to know about the health conditions of ailing hockey player Mohd Shahid in Gurgaon on Wednesday. (PTI Photo)