Down the years

DHANRAJ PILLAY

Born: July 15, 1968 Place: Khadki, Pune, Maharashtra

CAREER STATISTICS

1988Burst onto the national scene as a young centreforward during the Senior Nationals in Delhi.

1989Made his international debut in the Asia Cup in Delhi. India finished second behind Pakistan.

1990 Played the first of his four World Cups in Lahore. India ended 10th among 12 teams. India won silver at the Beijing Asiad later in the year.

1992 Played the first of his four Olympics at Barcelona. India finished 7th.

1994 Won silver at the Hiroshima Asian Games. Helped India finish 5th in the Sydney World Cup, their best performance since 1982 (also 5th) and was picked in the World XI.

1995With his stature in Indian hockey rising, Dhanraj was given the Arjuna Award. Was adjudged Player of the Tournament in the Indira Gandhi Gold Cup after scoring seven goals.

1998 Led India to gold at the Bangkok Asiad, scoring 11 goals. His performance was in contrast to the team’s show at Utrecht World Cup where India were 9th among 12 teams. Was dropped from the team for his outburst against the federation.

2000 Was awarded the Khel Ratna. India missed the semifinals at Sydney Olympics after a 1-1 draw with Poland.

2001 Was awarded Padma Shri. Helped India win the Champions Challenge in Kuala Lumpur.

2002 Helped India win silver at the Busan Asiad and was member of All-Star Asian Games team. Was declared Player of the Tournament at Champions Trophy in Cologne where India were 4th.

2003 Led India to maiden gold at the Kuala Lumpur Asia Cup.

2004Played his fourth and last Olympics in Athens where India finished 7th. He was dropped from the team after that and wasn’t recalled.