PR Sreejesh, one of Indian hockey’s greatest modern icons, has added yet another bronze to his glittering legacy—this time not as the wall beneath the crossbar, but as the mentor behind a remarkable resurgence. The Olympic medallist, who clinched bronze in Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024, has now powered India’s junior squad to a sensational third-place finish at the Junior Hockey World Cup in Chennai.
A Comeback Worth Remembering
In a gripping contest against Argentina, the young Indian side found themselves trailing 0–2, struggling to break through the South American press. But with Sreejesh’s firebrand energy radiating from the sidelines, the team produced a blistering final-quarter turnaround to seal a 4–2 victory—a comeback their coach didn’t hesitate to call “the best thing to have happened in this Junior World Cup.”
Sreejesh’s Message: ‘No Regrets on the Field’
Celebrating the medal, Sreejesh lauded his boys for their “lion-hearted comeback,” highlighting the mental fortitude that underpinned their fightback.
“I told them, surviving this pressure is your base for the Olympics and beyond,” he said. His voice, loud and urgent during the match, carried a message that the players responded to instantly:
“Get that energy. You can’t be 0–2 down… put everything you have on the field.”
For Sreejesh, the spirit mattered as much as the strategy. “Once you enter the field, there should be no point of regret. Do what you want to do there,” he told the boys.
A Team That Believed
If the final quarter displayed India’s skill, it also showcased something deeper—belief. “They never gave up,” Sreejesh reflected. “They trusted their abilities… and that is why we emerged winners.”
A New Chapter in a Champion’s Journey
From guarding India’s goal to guarding its future, Sreejesh’s transition from stalwart goalkeeper to inspiring coach seems as natural as it is powerful. This bronze is more than a medal; it is a statement that India’s next generation is in the right hands—and ready for bigger stages.
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