PR Shreejesh Has Earned 250 International Caps

The goalkeeper PR Shreejesh achieved this milestone during his second match against Spain during the FIH pro league.
India loses the game by 3-5 against Spain.

PR Shreejesh earned his 250th international cap for India on Sunday, according to Hockey India. On Sunday, February 27, 2022, at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, the goalkeeper reached this milestone during India’s second game against Spain in the FIH Hockey Pro League.

Sreejesh began his career with the Indian Men’s Hockey team in 2006 at the South Asian Games in Sri Lanka. Still, it wasn’t until 2011 that he became a regular member of the group, a year in which he made two match-winning saves in the Asian Champions Trophy Final against Pakistan.

In the following years, his efforts were rewarded with the “Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament” title at the 2013 Asia Cup, where India won the Silver Medal, and the “Goalkeeper of the Tournament” honour at the 2014 Champions Trophy, where India earned the Bronze Medal. At the 2014 Asian Games, he gave one of his most incredible performances as he made two outstanding saves in Penalty Strokes versus Pakistan, ensuring his team’s Gold Medal.

In 2016, the experienced Kerala custodian was named captain and led India to a historic Silver Medal at London’s FIH Men’s Hockey Champions Tal. In 2018, he led India to another Silver Medal at the same tournament in Breda.

Sreejesh was also the captain of India’s bronze-medal winning team in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang. He has competed in every major competition, including the 2014- and 2018-Men’s Hockey World Cups and the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.

He was the star of India’s defence at the Tokyo Olympics, as the country finally broke its medal drought by winning a historic bronze medal. He received the Arjuna Award in 2015, the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 2017, and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award in 2021 for his efforts in hockey.

Sreejesh expressed his delight at reaching this milestone by saying, “It means a lot to me to reach this wonderful milestone at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium, which is my favourite hockey stadium in the world.

This record of playing 250 international matches for India took a lot of hard work and commitment. I treasure every game I’ve played for the squad, and I wear the Indian uniform with tremendous pleasure and honour. I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my hockey career, and I aim to continue to give it my all for India.”

Hockey India Prez Gyanendro Ningombam congratulated Sreejesh on his 250th international match, saying, “Sreejesh seems to be the backbone of the Indian squad for over a decade and is a huge inspiration to young people not only in India but all across the world.

He has worked hard to establish himself as a legendary goalkeeper in hockey, and I congratulate him on reaching the milestone of 250 international appearances for India. I wish him the best of luck in his continued service to Indian hockey.”

Edited by: Mahi Gupta

Published by: Vishakha Verma