It won't be wrong to say that 2014 has been the best year for Indian hockey in almost two decades thanks to Sardar Singh & Co's gold medal-winning show at the Incheon Asian Games that more importantly assured a direct qualification to the 2016 Rio Olympics. India last won the Asiad gold 16 years ago, back in Bangkok 1998.

Manpreet Singh celebrates after India clinched the Asian Games gold medal by beating Pakistan in the final at Incheon. Pic/Getty Images.