PR Sreejesh: The Great Wall of Indian Hockey who helped India script history in Paris Olympics

India secured a historic bronze medal in men’s hockey on Thursday at the Paris Olympic Games, marking their second consecutive bronze after the 2020 Tokyo Games. The victory over Spain in the third-place play-off was significantly attributed to the exceptional saves by PR Sreejesh, who was playing his last game for the national team. This feat comes 52 years after India last won consecutive bronze medals in men’s hockey at the 1972 Munich Games.

Sreejesh, visibly emotional after the match, was joined by his teammates on the field to celebrate the momentous occasion for India. Prior to the match, Sreejesh had announced his intention to retire from international hockey after this game, a decision he confirmed post-game.

“This is the better way to finish,” Sreejesh said. “I think this is the better way to finish an Olympic Games, with a medal. We are not going home empty-handed, that’s a great thing,” he expressed on ‘Jio Cinema’.

Sreejesh acknowledged the feelings of those who wanted him to continue playing but maintained his stance on retiring. “I respect the sentiments of people (who may have wanted him to continue). But some decisions are hard, but taking a decision at right time makes the situation more beautiful,” he said.

“So, my decision stays,” Sreejesh asserted when asked if he may reconsider his retirement.

All About Indian Hockey Team’s Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh

PR Sreejesh hails from Kerala and has had an illustrious career spanning 18 years. He debuted in the junior national team in 2004 and joined the senior national team in 2006. Sreejesh has played over 300 matches for India and has been an integral part of the team that won the bronze medal in Tokyo, ending a 41-year medal drought for India in hockey.

Often referred to as the ‘Great Wall of Indian Hockey’, Sreejesh has garnered numerous accolades throughout his career. He won the FIH Player of the Year Award for the best male goalkeeper in 2020–21. He was part of the gold-winning teams at the 2014 and 2022 Asian Games and played in the Hockey India League for Uttar Pradesh Wizards.

In Paris, Sreejesh was in exceptional form, making numerous crucial saves during regulation time and penalty shootouts, which played a pivotal role in securing India’s bronze medal.His contributions have left an indelible mark on Indian hockey, and his performance at the Paris Olympics was a fitting culmination to a stellar career.