New Delhi: 18 years and 328 games being vigilant on the goal post to keep the opponent ball out of bounds- that is void which PR Sreejesh is leaving behind after he bade his game on Thursday (i.e. 8th August). The India team and the entire support staff ran back to their ever-reliant goalkeeper who has been touted as the “Great Wall” of Indian hockey post their bronze medal win against Spain.
Read more: India Mens Hockey Team wins back-to-back Bronze medal at Paris Olympics 2024
The highlight of Sreejesh’s 18-year-long career has been his phenomenal performance in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 to clinch the bronze medal for Team India after a long wait of nearly 40 years. In Paris, everyone will remember for years to come how a 10-man team India made it past the Quarterfinals after defeating Great Britain courtesy of the phenomenal presence of Sreejesh in front of the goal. The Indian goalkeeper made many crucial saves which included the crucial saves during the penalty shootout which resulted in India’s win.
Now, as Sreejesh hangs up his stick, the job of the Indian goalkeeper is to help the country find the next generation of prodigal goalkeeping talents who can take the country forward in the game.
Netizens react to PR Sreejesh’s retirement
There was an outpour of gratitude for the India team’s phenomenal victory over Spain as well as PR Sreejesh’s outstanding contribution to the national side to make it a champion side over the last few years.
Congratulations Team India and harmanpreet & sreejesh for winning Bronze . @TheHockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/BM994UEHe9
— PretMeena (@PretMeena) August 8, 2024
Watch: best saves of Sreejesh
As I stand between the posts for the final time, my heart swells with gratitude and pride. This journey, from a young boy with a dream to the man defending India’s honour, has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Today, I play my last match for India. Every save, every dive,… pic.twitter.com/pMPtLRVfS0
— sreejesh p r (@16Sreejesh) August 8, 2024
Bid adieu champion 🏆
A new standard/ bar set by you in goalkeeping will surely play vital role in shaping up youngsters.
Thank you for your services to the nation, we shall miss you on the field dear Wall. pic.twitter.com/4mWtWi99JH
— Rishi Choudhary 🇮🇳 (@RishiRahar) August 8, 2024
