‘My solidity a boost for strikers’
ACID TEST Back to his best, veteran goalkeeper Sreejesh says Olympic qualification will add pressure at Asian Games
: When PR Sreejesh returned to the national side after an eight-month injury lay-off, there were concerns whether the ace goalkeeper could regain his charisma under the bar. His replacements Akash Chikte and Suraj Karkera, too, had done well. It, however, took Sreejesh less than six months to underline his class and wrestle back the Indian captaincy.
At the Champions Trophy earlier this month, where India finished runners-up to Australia, Sreejesh came on his own as the bulwark of defence, making brilliant saves to win the best goalkeeper award.
The performance at Breda became the turning point. “I was not at my best at the Commonwealth Games because it takes time to get back your rhythm after injury. But after Champions Trophy I can say that Sreejesh is here to stay,” the goalkeeper said in an interview.
“I have been able to give this confidence to the forwards, that ‘Don’t worry, Sreejesh is there at the back.’ That is important to me. I have never compared my performances. My aim has always been to improve with every performance and be an added strength to the side.” As he was struggling to learn to ‘walk again’ during the recovery phase after suffering a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury last year, Sreejesh discovered life outside the sport. Getting to spend time with family, developing the habit to read, helped him change his approach.
“Before the injury hockey was everything in my life. Now I know even if I am out of hockey, there are other important things in life. I am confident, calmer and wiser now.”
With Sreejesh back to his best, the Indian defence look more solid and it showed in the Champions Trophy where they were able to stave off late charges and drew against teams like Belgium, Netherlands and Australia.
“The competition among the top 16 is really close. If you look at our performance, we beat Argentina, drew with Holland and Belgium and we should have beaten Australia in the final. These are
NEW DELHI
Asian Games Incheon
Asian Champions Trophy
Junior Asia Cup Champions Trophy
Champions Trophy
Commonwealth Games Champions Trophy 2014, 2018 Asia Cup 2013 Junior Asia Cup 2008
Goalkeeper of the Year nominations: 2016, 2017 the top teams in the world,” Sreejesh said. “On a given day, we can beat any team but can we do that consistently? You cannot play at your best and beat a top team one day and drop your level the next day. It is about how hungry you are.”
“There has been a lot of improvement since the previous Champions Trophy. We played better hockey and we dominated. Each player was hungry and that reflected on the result. Yes, I was really disappointed with our performance in the final. We created opportunities but we did not take the chances.”
The defence has a mix of youth and experience and the return of Birendra Lakra and Surender Kumar has added to the strength of the backline. “We were able to manage crucial draws because of the defence. I feel now there is lot Hockey World League
Hockey World League
Made his debut for the senior national team in 2006
At 2014 Asian Games, he saved two penalty strokes against Pakistan in the final
Led India to silver medal at Champions Trophy 2016 and replaced Sardar Singh as captain for the Rio Olympics
Sustained knee injury during Azlan Shah Cup in 2017 and was out of action for eight months. He madehiscomeback in January.
I have been able to give this confidence to the forwards, that ‘Don’t worry, Sreejesh is there at the back and that is important to me.
There has been a lot of improvement. We played better hockey (in Breda). Each player was hungry and that reflected on the result.
Before injury hockey was everything to me. Now I know there are other things in life. I am calmer and wiser now.
more coordination and communication among the defenders.”
The bigger challenge ahead is the Asian Games starting August 18 where India are the defending champions. A gold is the prized possession as it will also ensure qualification for 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“Yes there will be added pressure because of Olympic qualification. But the pressure will be same for all teams. Our focus is self improvement and analysing our own game.”
Sreejesh appreciated the freedom given to the players by new coach Harendra Singh. “He has his own style and he knows how to bring out the best from players. He has not brought too many changes. Almost all the players, at some point, have worked under him and that has helped the team gel well.”