PR Sreejesh: The Wall of Indian Hockey Reflects on His Journey and Future

PR Sreejesh, hailed for his nearly two-decade defense of India's hockey goal, reflects on India's potential to replace him after his retirement. He discusses his pivotal role in the Olympics, potential coaching role, and the importance of grooming young athletes to handle pressure.

In a career spanning almost two decades, PR Sreejesh, often metaphorically described as the wall defending India's hockey goal, recently retired after securing a second Olympic bronze for the country. At 36, Sreejesh has expressed confidence in India's ability to find a suitable replacement, citing the country's abundant talent pool.

Sreejesh played a critical role in India's Olympic campaign, especially in their hard-fought 2-1 victory against Spain, which won them the bronze medal. Reflecting on his career, Sreejesh compared the evolving nature of sports to other icons like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, suggesting someone will eventually take his place.

Although offered a mentoring role within the Indian junior team, Sreejesh, whose life has been deeply entwined with hockey, remains undecided about his post-retirement plans. He emphasized the need to teach young athletes how to handle pressure, particularly at events like the Olympics, and hailed the return of the Hockey India League as a crucial platform for nurturing future talent.

(With inputs from agencies.)