Ashok Kumar (born 1950) is a former Indian field hockey player who represented India during the 1970s. A forward known for his stick-work and dribbling skills, he was a member of the Indian team that won the gold medal at the 1975 Hockey World Cup held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is the son of the legendary Indian hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.
| Full name | Ashok Kumar Singh |
|---|---|
| Born | 1950 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Sport | Field hockey |
| Position | Forward |
| Father | Dhyan Chand |
| Major honour | Gold medal, 1975 Hockey World Cup |
| Civilian honour | Padma Shri |
Ashok Kumar was born into a family deeply associated with Indian hockey. His father, Dhyan Chand, is widely regarded as one of the greatest hockey players in the history of the sport and led India to Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936. Growing up in this environment, Ashok Kumar took to the game early and developed into a skilful attacking player.
Ashok Kumar represented India at the senior international level from the early 1970s. He played in major tournaments including the Olympic Games, the Hockey World Cup, and the Asian Games during the decade.
His most celebrated contribution came at the 1975 Hockey World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, where India defeated Pakistan 2–1 in the final. Ashok Kumar scored the decisive goal that gave India its only World Cup title in men's hockey to date. The goal, struck off a scramble in the Pakistani circle, has remained a defining moment in Indian hockey history.
He was part of the Indian squad at the Olympic Games during the 1970s, a period when India was transitioning from the dominance of the grass-pitch era to the new artificial turf surfaces that altered the playing style of the sport.
Ashok Kumar occupies a unique place in Indian hockey for two reasons. He carried forward the sporting legacy of his father Dhyan Chand at the highest level, and he scored the goal that secured India's only Hockey World Cup title. His career also coincided with a period of significant change in international hockey, including the introduction of synthetic turf, which reshaped tactics and training in the sport globally.