PR Sreejesh : The hockey legend who stood tall in cricket-mad India

The moment India won a bronze medal in hockey at Paris Olympics, the players burst into wild celebrations.

But PR Sreejesh quietly walked to one end of the field and bowed down in front of the goalpost – his home for almost two decades.

He will miss that home, but India will miss him even more. The goalkeeper, who played his last international match on Thursday, leaves an illustrious legacy behind him.

The “Wall of India”, as he is popularly known, played a crucial role in India’s podium finish. His team were up 2-1 and Spain were fighting hard for an equaliser but Sreejesh thwarted their attempts, especially in the dying minutes of the match.

The instincts and the tactful dives he is known for were on full display. His impact on the game can be understood from the fact that the Spaniards earned nine penalty corners, but couldn’t convert any. Sreejesh and his defence team put their bodies on the line to protect their lead until the end.

The former Indian captain can also be credited with bringing India into contention for a medal. The knock-out match against Great Britain went into a penalty shootout and once again it was down to the Wall to protect his team – he did exactly that with two masterful saves.