As the final whistle blew at the Paris Olympics, India’s hockey team erupted in jubilant celebration, having secured a bronze medal. Yet, amidst the chaos, PR Sreejesh quietly walked to one end of the field and bowed before the goalpost—his home for nearly two decades. While he may miss that home, India will miss him even more. Sreejesh, who played his last international match on Thursday, leaves behind an illustrious legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
Known affectionately as the “Wall of India,” Sreejesh was pivotal in securing India’s place on the podium. With his team leading 2-1, Spain mounted an aggressive attempt to equalize, but Sreejesh, demonstrating the instincts and tactical dives that define his career, thwarted their efforts, especially in the dying moments of the match. The Spaniards earned nine penalty corners, yet failed to convert any—a testament to Sreejesh’s skill and the unyielding defense of his team, who put their bodies on the line to maintain their lead.
Sreejesh’s role in bringing India into medal contention cannot be overstated. During the knock-out match against Great Britain, which went into a penalty shootout, it was once again down to Sreejesh to safeguard his team. With two masterful saves, he did just that, keeping India’s hopes alive. Despite the heartbreak of losing the semi-final to Germany, a match that saw Sreejesh in tears knowing the elusive gold was out of reach, he quickly refocused on the bronze medal match. On Thursday, he wept again—this time, tears of joy.
The emotions of the nation mirrored his own, with social media overflowing with tributes to the man who had been a beacon of hope for nearly two decades. In a country where cricket reigns supreme and athletes from other sports often struggle for recognition, Sreejesh’s journey is particularly remarkable. Goalkeepers, in particular, are often overlooked. “It’s difficult to love a goalkeeper. He is invisible and only in the limelight when he makes a blunder. When I was young, I didn’t know who India’s goalkeeper was then,” Sreejesh shared with the Indian Express in 2021.
Sreejesh never sought fame; he simply loved playing the game. This unassuming attitude helped him persist, even after a challenging debut. He had already garnered attention in the junior circuit for his quick reflexes and ability to judge a ball’s trajectory in mere nanoseconds. However, his 2006 debut in the senior team at the South Asian Games was a mixed experience. Although he performed well overall, he missed a crucial save in the final against Pakistan, India’s arch-rival, leading to harsh criticism—a steep learning curve for the young goalkeeper.
The following years were challenging, with Sreejesh struggling to secure a permanent spot on the team. Indian hockey also faced a rough patch, including the team’s failure to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Nevertheless, Sreejesh continued to hone his skills, and his moment of redemption came in 2011. In the final of the Champions Trophy, facing Pakistan once again, he made two crucial penalty saves, leading India to victory. The match catapulted him into the limelight, and he traveled with the team to the London Olympics in 2012. Although India returned without a medal, Sreejesh’s performance remained strong.
Another defining moment came during the 2014 Asian Games final, once again against Pakistan. Sreejesh saved two penalties, ending India’s 16-year gold medal drought at the Games. However, the moment that perhaps best encapsulates his character, grit, and determination occurred during the 2015 Hockey World League bronze medal match against Holland. Despite being badly injured—with thighs wrapped in ice packs, a thumb near broken, and a shoulder encased in protective surgical tape—Sreejesh took his position at the goalpost, humorously likening himself to a mummy. Behind the humor was a steely resolve to win a medal for India in a major international tournament after more than three decades. His stunning saves during the penalty shootout secured the victory for India.
This triumph cemented Sreejesh’s status as a legend in Indian hockey. He was soon entrusted with leading the team at the Rio Olympics. Although India didn’t win a medal, they reached the quarter-finals, improving upon their performance in London. Through it all, Sreejesh remained grounded, never letting success go to his head. His humility and accessibility endeared him to both teammates and fans alike.
In 2017, an injury threatened to end his career. However, defying all odds, Sreejesh made a comeback after undergoing two surgeries and several months of rehabilitation. Though it took time for his performance to peak again, and despite critics questioning whether his reflexes had slowed, Sreejesh stayed focused. He continued to work hard, determined to end India’s 41-year wait for an Olympic hockey medal. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he did just that, guiding India to a bronze with his deep understanding of the game.
Sreejesh’s resilience can be traced back to his upbringing. Born into a farming family in Kerala, he loved sports but disliked running. After experimenting with various sports and positions in hockey, he chose goalkeeping, a role that required less running. Excelling at the state level, he was called to the national trials in Delhi in 2003. At 15, he embarked on a grueling 48-hour train journey to the Indian capital. With limited Hindi skills, he stayed in a hostel with predominantly Hindi-speaking boys, quickly adapting and learning the language, including some colorful phrases heard during tense matches in later years.
Despite being selected for the team, Sreejesh didn’t have a proper kit. His father, a farmer, sold a cow to raise the 10,000 rupees ($119; £93) needed to buy one. Life came full circle on Thursday, as Sreejesh’s father watched his son’s last match surrounded by hundreds of people.
As Sreejesh steps away from the goalpost, his focus shifts to his family, particularly his two children, and his new role as head coach of the Indian junior hockey team. “It’s time for my kids to start their journey and I’m done, and their life starts,” he told Olympics.com.
When asked about his legacy, Sreejesh prefers humility over accolades. “I want people to remember me as a good person who always had a smiling face,” he told the Hindustan Times. “And for the youngsters and kids, when they pad up and step on to the hockey field, they should feel I want to become a keeper like Sreejesh.”
