Thank you, PR Sreejesh, 'The GOAT' of Indian Hockey
They say that being a goalkeeper is a thankless job, as no matter how many goals they defend, they will be remembered for the one that slipped through their defense. And guess who agrees with this? Former Indian Hockey Team captain and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh!
In a 2021 interview, Sreejesh said: ˇ°Goalkeeping is an important position in hockey but a thankless job too. If a match is won 1-nil, people would be curious to know who scored the goal. No one asks how many attempts were saved by a goalkeeper. Similarly, if we lose 1-0, then all eyes will be on the keeper who failed his team. Goalkeepers are destined only to hear blame.ˇ±
Also read:?PR Sreejesh's face after defeat to Germany showed how much he wanted a gold in last outing
PR Sreejesh, the wall of Indian hockey
While this might be true to an extent, Sreejesh, who guarded India's goalpost for nearly eighteen years, will be remembered as the wall of Indian Hockey.
The 36-year-old, who made his debut for India in 2006, called it a day on Thursday after playing a crucial role in Team India's 2-1 victory against Spain to bag the bronze medal in the Paris Olympics 2024.
Lives up to his name till last match?
Sreejesh, who played in 336 games for the country, played a key role in Team India winning the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after a hiatus of four decades.
Sreejesh lived up to his reputation as the wall of Indian Hockey even at the Paris Olympics 2024 and ended his illustrious career by guiding the team to yet another podium finish.
On Thursday, Sreejesh put all his experience to good use as he stood extra vigilant in front of the Indian goalpost, making several crucial saves, especially in the final minutes of the match, to ensure the country's second bronze medal in as many Olympic games.
Emotional farewell?
Sreejesh, who had announced before the Olympics that this was his last outing for the national side, bid an emotional farewell to the game as he was carried on the shoulders of his fellow teammates.
Hailing from Kerala, which has produced many track and field athletes and football players for India but hardly any notable names in hockey, Sreejesh was an outsider and did not have an easy entry into the national team.
But eighteen years later, he is regarded as one of the best, if not the best, hockey players India has ever produced.
India salutes Sreejesh, the legend
Everyone, from sporting legends to business tycoons and political leaders, paid their admiration to Sreejesh, who leaves behind an unparalleled legacy.
Sreejesh to train next gen of Indian hockey
While he might not be playing for India anymore, Sreejesh has an even bigger responsibility at hand. He has been tasked with nurturing the next generation of players as the head coach of the Junior India Hockey team.
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