PR Sreejesh Retires from Hockey

The Indian players would leap for delight after the final hooter went off in the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Thursday, August 8, before sprinting in the direction of their idol, PR Sreejesh. But the goalkeeper’s celebration was understated. No joyful yells or fist bumps were heard. For the 36-year-old, who bent down before the goalpost as though it were a temple where his deity resided, it was just a routine occasion.

A man who received his first kit after his father sold their cow felt a feeling of fulfillment. For a star from Kerala, where Indian hockey has never had a deep history, it seemed like life had finally gone full circle. The star had experienced the highs and lows of the sport in India. From the team’s utter low point at the 2012 London Olympics, Sreejesh continued to be a pillar of support as Indian hockey won two consecutive Olympic medals for the first time since 1972.

Fans, on the other hand, believe that Sreejesh was far from retiring. The Indian celebrity appeared to be in perfect health, particularly during the Paris Olympics 2024 campaign. Living true to his moniker as the wall of Indian hockey, Sreejesh was quick on his feet and showed no signs of tardiness in his replies. This was aptly demonstrated in the match versus Australia, the largest enemy of India.

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Sreejash The Wall of Indian Hockey

Sreejesh was always there to stop any assault within the Indian D. His most recent save, which he made with only 7 seconds remaining with nearly 7 Australian players in the defensive, proves that he is Indian hockey’s “Thala for a reason.” And as soon as you believed he couldn’t get any better, the Great Britain quarterfinal appeared.

When a red card is displayed in hockey, it almost seems certain that the team will lose. Nobody is supposed to cling on and keep their eyes off the opposition’s score. Everyone believed India was eliminated from the tournament when Amit Rohidas was given the order to march. However, the team scored, and once the score was 1-1, Sreejesh thought it was time to go in as an extra defender for his team. Sreejesh and company prevented a flurry of nearly eleven penalty corners by constantly instructing his teammates on what to do. For all the team, he was undoubtedly ‘Sreejesh bhai’ even if he was not wearing the captain’s armband at the time.

Next was the penalty shootout, in which it seems as though the attacker is under pressure when Sreejesh is involved. Without a doubt, everyone could see it. India triumphed 4-2, while Great Britain gave up under duress after missing two shots.

Additionally, India was under siege in the latter quarter of the bronze medal match. Spain had nine PCs and fifteen shots, but when it came time to perform, Sreejesh was ready. Why therefore, Sreejesh, retire at this time?

Retiring At Top

“To retire at the top of the game, that’s always been my aim.”

The great Joe Calzaghe said these things when he made the decision to call it quits on his boxing career 46-0. Sreejesh finished hockey at the peak of his game, despite having had his fair share of setbacks and disappointments.

He had the same desires. Sreejesh made it apparent in the lead-up to the competition why he thought the Olympics was the ideal venue to end the day. He believed that his audacious cry would live on in the memory of everybody.

“But this time I thought, gearing up for my fourth Olympics, I think this is the best platform for me to say goodbye because I believe that this is the best, the top place where you can say, ‘ok, I’m done with this,'” Sreejesh added.

And that’s what he ultimately did. Sreejesh acknowledged that there won’t be any U-turns this time, even though Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey acknowledged that they wanted him to continue and that fans had urged him to do so.

“I am aware that no one wanted me to resign following today’s game or triumph. However, as I previously stated, my coach told me that people shouldn’t inquire about things like when you retire or accept that call. Why not? They ought to enquire as to why. And this seems like the ideal approach. However, I believe my team gave me the nicest send-off possible,” Sreejesh remarked.