NEW DELHI: PR Sreejesh, the seasoned goalkeeper of the Indian hockey staff, is taking part in his fourth and sure closing Olympics. He has gained an important perception from the victorious T20 World Cup cricket staff: ‘by no means hand over and rejoice’ early. This lesson will stay etched in his thoughts as he prepares for the Paris Olympics.
In a outstanding turnaround, the Indian cricket staff emerged triumphant within the T20 World Cup closing, securing a slim seven-run win towards South Africa regardless of being getting ready to defeat.This victory ended India’s 11-year drought in ICC tournaments.
The Champions Trophy in 2013, beneath the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, was the final vital ICC title claimed by India.
“I did watch the ultimate. The largest studying from this World Cup is that do not rejoice earlier than the final ball. South Africa was nearly successful until the 15th over however the Indian staff didn’t hand over hope and snatched the win from the jaws of defeat,” Sreejesh, who has 328 India caps, advised PTI Bhasha. “That is what not solely us (hockey staff) however each Olympic-bound athlete can study from our cricket staff is that by no means hand over, simply wait and struggle until the final second, you’ll obtain it. I’ll bear in mind this within the Olympics,” he mentioned.
Thought to be the ‘The Wall of Indian hockey’, Sreejesh nonetheless remembers that one recommendation he acquired from “The Wall of Indian cricket’, Rahul Dravid.
“I met Dravid bhai lengthy again. He advised us in regards to the significance of endurance and ready in your second. That is what I did. I didn’t change into the most effective goalkeepers on the earth in a single day. I waited for my alternatives. I’ve additionally learnt to stay humble from him,” he mentioned.
Sreejesh initially took up the game to safe grace marks in his board examinations. Nevertheless, his journey in hockey surpassed his preliminary expectations as he not solely represented India in 4 Olympic Video games but in addition performed an important position within the staff’s historic bronze medal victory on the Tokyo Olympics.
“It is an important honour, a proud second however comes with numerous obligations. You could information the children, it’s good to hold the staff collectively and assist to realize the frequent purpose of successful a medal on the Olympics,” mentioned the previous FIH participant of the 12 months.
“It is a dream journey. I simply began enjoying this sport for grace marks in board exams. I by no means thought that I might play hockey, put on an Indian jersey and take part within the Olympics. I simply knew the legendary Dhanraj Pillay, who performed four Olympics, four World Cups, Champions Trophy, Asian Video games and immediately I’m the primary goalkeeper going to play my fourth Olympics. It is exhausting to imagine.”
Sreejesh performed an important position in securing the bronze medal for India on the Tokyo Olympics. His excellent efficiency within the match towards Germany was instrumental in India’s victory.
“Expectations include achievements and we do not have to take it negatively. I imagine that it’ll give us the enhance to carry out even higher in Paris. I wish to inform the children within the staff that expectations and criticism can be there however on the sector you’re the boss. Follow your fundamentals, execute your plans and benefit from the sport,” he mentioned.
As a seasoned member of the staff, he takes on the position of a mentor for the youthful gamers. He enjoys presenting them with challenges designed to assist them attain their full potential and convey out their finest efficiency.
“Mentoring is essential as you’re the one who performed this sport, failed, succeeded and once you inform this stuff to the youngsters, they perceive. I all the time problem forwards, make enjoyable of them if they do not rating. They settle for this and attempt to do higher,” he mentioned.
“The Olympics are an excessive amount of stress. It is like a stress cooker. You might be intently adopted by the media, there can be social media, coaches, individuals provide you with many concepts and this stuff distract you. I simply inform them to play as a staff with out listening to these noises.”
India discover itself in a difficult Pool B on the Olympics, competing towards formidable opponents comparable to Argentina, Australia, Belgium, New Zealand, and Eire.
“Argentina have good 3D abilities, the Australians are very robust and Belgium have very skilled ahead line however I really feel that on that individual day, it is all about utilizing your expertise and data towards them,” he mentioned.
“For me visualization is the important thing. You play hockey for 365 days and within the Olympics we’re additionally going to play the identical however the floor, the viewers and the environment put you beneath stress. Those that can play their finest hockey beneath that stress can win.”
In a outstanding turnaround, the Indian cricket staff emerged triumphant within the T20 World Cup closing, securing a slim seven-run win towards South Africa regardless of being getting ready to defeat.This victory ended India’s 11-year drought in ICC tournaments.
The Champions Trophy in 2013, beneath the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, was the final vital ICC title claimed by India.
“I did watch the ultimate. The largest studying from this World Cup is that do not rejoice earlier than the final ball. South Africa was nearly successful until the 15th over however the Indian staff didn’t hand over hope and snatched the win from the jaws of defeat,” Sreejesh, who has 328 India caps, advised PTI Bhasha. “That is what not solely us (hockey staff) however each Olympic-bound athlete can study from our cricket staff is that by no means hand over, simply wait and struggle until the final second, you’ll obtain it. I’ll bear in mind this within the Olympics,” he mentioned.
Thought to be the ‘The Wall of Indian hockey’, Sreejesh nonetheless remembers that one recommendation he acquired from “The Wall of Indian cricket’, Rahul Dravid.
“I met Dravid bhai lengthy again. He advised us in regards to the significance of endurance and ready in your second. That is what I did. I didn’t change into the most effective goalkeepers on the earth in a single day. I waited for my alternatives. I’ve additionally learnt to stay humble from him,” he mentioned.
Sreejesh initially took up the game to safe grace marks in his board examinations. Nevertheless, his journey in hockey surpassed his preliminary expectations as he not solely represented India in 4 Olympic Video games but in addition performed an important position within the staff’s historic bronze medal victory on the Tokyo Olympics.
“It is an important honour, a proud second however comes with numerous obligations. You could information the children, it’s good to hold the staff collectively and assist to realize the frequent purpose of successful a medal on the Olympics,” mentioned the previous FIH participant of the 12 months.
“It is a dream journey. I simply began enjoying this sport for grace marks in board exams. I by no means thought that I might play hockey, put on an Indian jersey and take part within the Olympics. I simply knew the legendary Dhanraj Pillay, who performed four Olympics, four World Cups, Champions Trophy, Asian Video games and immediately I’m the primary goalkeeper going to play my fourth Olympics. It is exhausting to imagine.”
Sreejesh performed an important position in securing the bronze medal for India on the Tokyo Olympics. His excellent efficiency within the match towards Germany was instrumental in India’s victory.
“Expectations include achievements and we do not have to take it negatively. I imagine that it’ll give us the enhance to carry out even higher in Paris. I wish to inform the children within the staff that expectations and criticism can be there however on the sector you’re the boss. Follow your fundamentals, execute your plans and benefit from the sport,” he mentioned.
As a seasoned member of the staff, he takes on the position of a mentor for the youthful gamers. He enjoys presenting them with challenges designed to assist them attain their full potential and convey out their finest efficiency.
“Mentoring is essential as you’re the one who performed this sport, failed, succeeded and once you inform this stuff to the youngsters, they perceive. I all the time problem forwards, make enjoyable of them if they do not rating. They settle for this and attempt to do higher,” he mentioned.
“The Olympics are an excessive amount of stress. It is like a stress cooker. You might be intently adopted by the media, there can be social media, coaches, individuals provide you with many concepts and this stuff distract you. I simply inform them to play as a staff with out listening to these noises.”
India discover itself in a difficult Pool B on the Olympics, competing towards formidable opponents comparable to Argentina, Australia, Belgium, New Zealand, and Eire.
“Argentina have good 3D abilities, the Australians are very robust and Belgium have very skilled ahead line however I really feel that on that individual day, it is all about utilizing your expertise and data towards them,” he mentioned.
“For me visualization is the important thing. You play hockey for 365 days and within the Olympics we’re additionally going to play the identical however the floor, the viewers and the environment put you beneath stress. Those that can play their finest hockey beneath that stress can win.”
