‘I am Dhanraj Pillay for this generation’: PR Sreejesh says after India’s 3-2 win over Australia

New Delhi: Veteran Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh said that he is considered as Dhanraj Pillay for the youngsters in the current men’s hockey team after historic 3-2 win over Australia in their final Pool B match on Friday.

Sreejesh made a few important blocks in the thrilling encounter, including Tom Wickham’s shot in the 11th minute, though India conceded a penalty corner but the Kookaburras couldn’t materialise it. The Harmanpreet Singh-led team eventually defeated the Tokyo Olympics silver medallists to register their first over them in Olympics after 52 years (the last time India beat Australia in men’s hockey was in 1972 Berlin Olympics 3-1).

Sreejesh, who is the oldest player in the 16-member India hockey squad at the Summer Games this time, mentioned that youngsters want to win the Olympics for him to bid him with a memorable farwell, resembling to how older generation wanted to win for legendary forward Dhanraj Pillay, who scored around 170 goals in the Indian shirt.

“I don’t know those stats. Everyone played well today not just the defence. The defence starts from centre-forward and I am the last man. All did well today,” Sreejesh said after the match, as quoted by news agency PTI.

“I am playing with fourth generation in this team. Some were not even born when I started playing hockey. A few years back, players wanted to do it for Dhanraj Pillay. I am Dhanraj for this generation, they want to do it for me, what more you can you ask for,” he added.

A long-awaited win against Australia! 💪🏼🫡

Our boys delivered one of their best attacking performances of the tournament.

After 52 years, we finally triumphed over Australia at the Olympics! This five-goal thriller was worth the wait. Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek’s goals,… pic.twitter.com/J1oTHuI8t2

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 2, 2024

Dhanraj, one of the greatest forwards India has produced, started Indian hockey’s resurgence when he guided the team to an Asian Games gold after 32 years, in 1998 at Bangkok. Before that India had won gold at the Asian Games in 1966.

The 36-year-old Sreejesh, who made a crucial save in the dying minutes of the bronze medal match against Germany in Tokyo three years ago, has announced to retire after the conclusion of the Paris Olympics.

India finish second in Pool B

The Indian men’s hockey team has finished at second place in the points table of Pool B. The Men in Blue won three matches, drew one and lost one as well to account for 10 points from five matches behind table toppers Belgium (12 points with one match yet to play). India will face either Germany or Great Britain in their quarterfinal clash.

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 Veteran Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh said that he is considered as Dhanraj Pillay for the youngsters in the current men’s hockey team after historic 3-2 win over Australia in their final Pool B match on Friday.   Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today