Bengaluru, playing in its fourth and probably last Olympics, India's veteran hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh learned a valuable lesson from the T20 World Cup-winning cricket team: "never give up and celebrate" early and this is something that will be integrated into your mind at the Paris Olympics.
The Indian cricket team rose from the ashes in the T20 World Cup final, claiming a seven-run victory over South Africa from the jaws of defeat to end an 11-year ICC title drought.
India's last major ICC title was the Champions Trophy in 2013 under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"I watched the final. The biggest learning from this World Cup is that you should not celebrate before the last ball. South Africa was on the verge of winning until the 15th minute, but the Indian team did not lose hope and snatched the victory from the jaws . of defeat," Sreejesh, who has 328 caps for India, told Hasha. "That's what not only we (the hockey team), but all Olympic athletes can learn from our cricket team: never give up, just wait and fight until the last moment, you will make it. I will remember this at the Olympic Games . " he said.
Considered as the 'Wall of Indian Hockey', Sreejesh still remembers a piece of advice he received from the 'Wall of Indian Cricket', Rahul Dravid.
"I met Dravid Bhai a long time ago. He told us about the importance of patience and waiting for the moment. That's what I did. I didn't become one of the best goalkeepers in the world overnight. I waited for my opportunities I have also done it. I learned from him to be humble," he said.
Sreejesh started playing hockey to score well in board exams, but won an Olympic medal (bronze in Tokyo) and also became the only goalkeeper from the country to participate in four Olympics.
"It is a great honor, a moment of pride, but it comes with many responsibilities. You have to guide the young people, you have to keep the team together and help achieve the common goal of winning a medal at the Olympic Games," said the former player. FIH of the year.
"It's a dream trip. I just started playing this game to get good marks in board exams. I never thought I would play hockey, wear an Indian jersey and participate in the Olympics. I only met the legendary Dhanraj Pillay, who He played in 4 Olympic Games, 4 World Cups, Champions Trophy, Asian Games and today I am the first goalkeeper who is going to play in my fourth Olympic Games. "It's hard to believe."
Sreejesh was the hero of India's victory over Germany in the bronze medal play-off match in Tokyo and is well aware of the expectations expected of him in Paris.
"Expectations come with achievements and we don't have to take it as something negative. I think it will give us the drive to perform even better in Paris. I want to tell the young people in the team that the expectations and criticism will be there, but in the future In the field you are the boss. Stick to the basics, execute your plans and enjoy the game," he said.
He also acts as a mentor to the youngsters on the team and loves to throw challenges to bring out the best in them.
"Mentoring is very important because you are the one who played this game, failed, succeeded and when you tell these things to the children, they understand. I always challenge the forwards, I make fun of them if they don't score. They accept this. and try to do better," he said.
"The Olympics are too much pressure. It's like a pressure cooker. The media follows you closely, there will be social networks, coaches, people give you a lot of ideas and these things distract you. I just tell them to play as a team." without hearing these noises."
India is placed in a difficult Group B of the Olympic Games along with Argentina, Australia, Belgium, New Zealand and Ireland.
"Argentina have good 3D skills, the Australians are very strong and Belgium have a very experienced forward, but I think on that particular day, it was all about using your experience and knowledge against them," he said.
"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 terrain, the crowd and the atmosphere put pressure on you. Those who can play their best hockey under that pressure can win. "
The Indian cricket team rose from the ashes in the T20 World Cup final, claiming a seven-run victory over South Africa from the jaws of defeat to end an 11-year ICC title drought.
India's last major ICC title was the Champions Trophy in 2013 under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"I watched the final. The biggest learning from this World Cup is that you should not celebrate before the last ball. South Africa was on the verge of winning until the 15th minute, but the Indian team did not lose hope and snatched the victory from the jaws . of defeat," Sreejesh, who has 328 caps for India, told Hasha. "That's what not only we (the hockey team), but all Olympic athletes can learn from our cricket team: never give up, just wait and fight until the last moment, you will make it. I will remember this at the Olympic Games . " he said.
Considered as the 'Wall of Indian Hockey', Sreejesh still remembers a piece of advice he received from the 'Wall of Indian Cricket', Rahul Dravid.
"I met Dravid Bhai a long time ago. He told us about the importance of patience and waiting for the moment. That's what I did. I didn't become one of the best goalkeepers in the world overnight. I waited for my opportunities I have also done it. I learned from him to be humble," he said.
Sreejesh started playing hockey to score well in board exams, but won an Olympic medal (bronze in Tokyo) and also became the only goalkeeper from the country to participate in four Olympics.
"It is a great honor, a moment of pride, but it comes with many responsibilities. You have to guide the young people, you have to keep the team together and help achieve the common goal of winning a medal at the Olympic Games," said the former player. FIH of the year.
"It's a dream trip. I just started playing this game to get good marks in board exams. I never thought I would play hockey, wear an Indian jersey and participate in the Olympics. I only met the legendary Dhanraj Pillay, who He played in 4 Olympic Games, 4 World Cups, Champions Trophy, Asian Games and today I am the first goalkeeper who is going to play in my fourth Olympic Games. "It's hard to believe."
Sreejesh was the hero of India's victory over Germany in the bronze medal play-off match in Tokyo and is well aware of the expectations expected of him in Paris.
"Expectations come with achievements and we don't have to take it as something negative. I think it will give us the drive to perform even better in Paris. I want to tell the young people in the team that the expectations and criticism will be there, but in the future In the field you are the boss. Stick to the basics, execute your plans and enjoy the game," he said.
He also acts as a mentor to the youngsters on the team and loves to throw challenges to bring out the best in them.
"Mentoring is very important because you are the one who played this game, failed, succeeded and when you tell these things to the children, they understand. I always challenge the forwards, I make fun of them if they don't score. They accept this. and try to do better," he said.
"The Olympics are too much pressure. It's like a pressure cooker. The media follows you closely, there will be social networks, coaches, people give you a lot of ideas and these things distract you. I just tell them to play as a team." without hearing these noises."
India is placed in a difficult Group B of the Olympic Games along with Argentina, Australia, Belgium, New Zealand and Ireland.
"Argentina have good 3D skills, the Australians are very strong and Belgium have a very experienced forward, but I think on that particular day, it was all about using your experience and knowledge against them," he said.
"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 terrain, the crowd and the atmosphere put pressure on you. Those who can play their best hockey under that pressure can win. "