Playing in his fourth and doubtless final Olympics, veteran India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has learnt a helpful lesson from the T20 World Cup-winning cricket crew — ‘never give up and celebrate’ early and that is one thing which shall be embedded in his thoughts within the Paris Olympics.
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The Indian cricket crew rose from the ashes within the closing of the T20 World Cup, snatching a seven-run victory over South Africa from the jaws of defeat to finish an 11-year ICC title drought.
India’s final main ICC title was the Champions Trophy in 2013 beneath Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s management.
“I did watch the final. The biggest learning from this World Cup is that don’t celebrate before the last ball. South Africa was almost winning till the 15th over but the Indian team did not give up hope and snatched the win from the jaws of defeat,” Sreejesh, who has 328 India caps, mentioned.
“That’s what not only us (hockey team) but every Olympic-bound athlete can learn from our cricket team is that never give up, just wait and fight till the last moment, you will achieve it. I will remember this in the Olympics,” he added.
Regarded because the ‘The Wall of Indian hockey’, Sreejesh nonetheless remembers that one recommendation he acquired from “The Wall of Indian cricket’, Rahul Dravid.
“I met Dravid bhai long back. He told us about the importance of patience and waiting for your moment. That’s what I did. I did not become one of the best goalkeepers in the world overnight. I waited for my opportunities. I have also learnt to remain humble from him,” he mentioned.
Sreejesh began taking part in hockey to get grace marks within the board exams however went on to win an Olympic medal — bronze in Tokyo — and likewise turned the one goalkeeper from the nation to function in 4 Olympics.
“It’s a great honour, a proud moment but comes with a lot of responsibilities. You need to guide the youngsters, you need to keep the team together and help to achieve the common goal of winning a medal at the Olympics,” mentioned the previous FIH participant of the 12 months.
“It’s a dream journey. I just started playing this game for grace marks in board exams. I never thought that I would play hockey, wear an Indian jersey and participate in the Olympics. I just knew the legendary Dhanraj Pillay, who played 4 Olympics, 4 World Cups, Champions Trophy, Asian Games and today I am the first goalkeeper going to play my fourth Olympics. It’s hard to believe.”
Sreejesh was the hero of India’s win over Germany within the bronze medal play-off match in Tokyo and he’s very effectively conscious of the expectations from him in Paris.
“Expectations come with achievements and we don’t have to take it negatively. I believe that it will give us the boost to perform even better in Paris. I want to tell the youngsters in the team that expectations and criticism will be there but on the field you are the boss. Stick to your basics, execute your plans and enjoy the game,” he mentioned.
He additionally acts as a mentor for the kids of the crew and likes to throw challenges to get the very best out of them.
“Mentoring is very important as you are the one who played this game, failed, succeeded and when you tell these things to the kids, they understand. I always challenge forwards, make fun of them if they don’t score. They accept this and try to do better,” he mentioned.
“The Olympics are too much pressure. It’s like a pressure cooker. You are closely followed by the media, there will be social media, coaches, people give you many ideas and these things distract you. I just tell them to play as a team without hearing these noises.”
India are positioned in a troublesome Pool B within the Olympics alongside aspect Argentina, Australia, Belgium, New Zealand and Ireland.
“Argentina have good 3D skills, the Australians are very strong and Belgium have very experienced forward line but I feel that on that particular day, it’s all about using your experience and knowledge against them,” he mentioned.
“For me visualization is the key. You play hockey for 365 days and in the Olympics we are also going to play the same but the ground, the audience and the atmosphere put you under pressure. Those who can play their best hockey under that pressure can win.”
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(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated news company feed – PTI)
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