Paris Olympics 2024: Meet Indian Men's Hockey Team Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, Whose Father Sold His Cow to Buy His First Kit, Retires On High

Parattu Ravindran Sreejesh, who plays as a goalkeeper in the Indian men’s national hockey team, was born on 8 May 1986 at Ernakulam in Kerala. Image Credit: (@sreejesh88/Instagram, @hockeyindia/Instagram)

Retiring India Goalkeeper has received the Arjuna Award in 2013 and Padma Shri in 2017 from the Government of India. PR Sreejesh was born into a family of farmers in the Kizhakkambalam village of Ernakulam district in Kerala, PR Sreejesh was never keen on pursuing hockey as a sport. His father sold his cow to buy his first hockey kit.  

PR Sreejesh never dreamed of becoming a hockey player. He initially trained in sports like sprinting, volleyball, and long jump. However, following his coach's advice, he took up hockey and has since risen to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

PR Sreejesh made his debut in Junior International Hockey in the year 2004 against Australia. Following his terrific performance, he made his senior debut at the 2006 South Asian Games in Colombo. 

Defending a penalty stroke against Pakistan in the 2011 Asian Champions Trophy Final catapulted PR Sreejesh to national stardom. Since that match, he has been a regular member of the national team.

Following the Asian Champions Trophy, PR Sreejesh played an instrumental role in India's victory in the 2013 Asia Cup. His outstanding performance earned him the award for the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

Although India finished 4th in the 2014 Champions Trophy, PR Sreejesh bagged the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament award, leaving behind the German and Australian goalkeepers. 

In the 2014 Asian Games, PR Sreejesh once again played a crucial role in India's victory. His exceptional decision-making on the field helped India secure the gold medal at the Incheon Asian Games.

Veteran Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh showed exquisite hockey skills ans helped team India won the silver medal at 2016 Champions Trophy while it reached the quarterfinals in the 2016 Olympics. In 2018, he again proved his efficiency on the field by directing India to a silver medal in Breda Champions Trophy and a bronze medal in the Jakarta Asian Games.  

Retiring India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh played for the Mumbai Magicians in the Hockey India League from 2013 to 2015, participating in 12 matches. In 2015, he was acquired by the Uttar Pradesh Wizards and has been with the team since then, playing 33 matches for them up to the 2017 season.