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India veteran Hockey goal-keeper PR Sreejesh revealed his learning from the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024 where Rohit Sharma & Co. lifted the trophy beating South Africa in the final at Kensington Oval in Barbados. He said that every athlete should learn from Indian cricket team that do not celebrate befor the last ball.
He exlapined that South Africa were holding the edge till 15th over in the final but the Indian team led by Rohit Sharma did not give up and snatched the defeated from the Proteas.
"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, told PTI Bhasha. "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 said.
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PR Sreejesh for Rahul Dravid
Regarded as the 'The Wall of Indian hockey', Sreejesh still remembers that one advice he got 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 said.
Sreejesh started playing hockey to get grace marks in the board exams but went on to win an Olympic medal -- bronze in Tokyo -- and also became the only goalkeeper from the country to feature in four 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," said the former FIH player of the year.
"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 in the bronze medal play-off match in Tokyo and he is very well aware of the expectations from him in Paris.
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