A custodian turned all-rounder: PR Sreejesh's new avatar for the HIL

However, the 36-year-old from Kerala was back in action just months later – this time as a coach.

“I was thinking about taking a one or two-year break before coaching,” said Sreejesh in a conversation with The Bridge. “But the surrounding situation were not supportive of that.

“I think somewhere it’s good that I joined the team straightaway because I played at elite level right now. I am at the top of my game and know what’s happening at the elite level. If I had done something else and found a comfort zone somewhere else, then it might have been a tough for me to come back and train the youngsters,” he added.

The decision to come immediately back into the sport did work wonders for Sreejesh as he helped the Indian men’s junior team to a bronze medal at the Sultan of Johor Cup and then the title win at the Junior Men’s Asia Cup.

“The only difference is that earlier I used to yell at my players from the goal post. Now I am yelling at my players from the side lines,” said Sreejesh with a laugh.

But the veteran goalkeeper is quick to point out that there are added responsibilities on his shoulders now, like taking care of the entire team strategy, knowing the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses inside out, maintaining a healthy team environment which includes even looking after his support staff.

“When preparing for a match as a player, you just need to think of yourself,” said Sreejesh.

“As a coach, the entire team is your responsibility, the staff is your responsibility. So you just need to alert your sense and work harder than before.”

All-rounder at Delhi SG Pipers

With the Hockey India League underway following a seven-year hiatus, Sreejesh is currently serving as the Director of Hockey for the Apollo Steel backed Delhi SG Pipers.

“I am an all-rounder here,” he said. “I am also working as an assistant coach to Graham Reid (the former India coach) and I am a mentor to the youngsters .”

Sreejesh’s major role at the Delhi SG Pipers is to supervise and make sure that everything is in place.

He has a strong administration team to help him out, a brilliant coaching panel, and a strong organisation backing the team, which makes his job easier.

The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardee is eagerly taking in all the knowledge he can – from the logistics to travel, hotel arrangements and coordinating with multiple vendors.

“I am learning from the coach and I am learning as an administrator. So it is a good place for me to be,” reflected Sreejesh.

“I do not know where I will end up in the next 10-15 years. Coaching is a passion but someone will come along to replace you. So I am learning the other parts of hockey,” he added.

Developing grass roots hockey

The Delhi SG Pipers have, so far, played two matches in the Hockey India League. While they won the first on a shootout, they conceded the other in a shootout.

But Sreejesh is not too worried about his team’s performance.

“Everyone is expecting to win all matches, but it is a long tournament,” opined Sreejesh.

“The real tournament starts from the third or fourth match because that’s the time when the players understand each other and they get into the rhythm. That’s also when they start understanding the coaches and executing the plans. These are very important,” he added.

Working with the Delhi SG Pipers, the main aim for Sreejesh is to help develop grassroots hockey. He hopes to polish the Indian domestic players well enough for the international level.

“Apollo Steel is the parent company (of Delhi SG Pipers) and the intention of the company is to develop grassroots hockey,” asserted Sreejesh.

“We have brought in star players but the intention is to get into the grassroots level and try to develop players.

“We are starting our academy very soon. From there we need to blood players. We want to become a machine to develop more talents and produce players for the national team through SG Pipers,” he added.

Sreejesh also believes that the HIL can be great platform for the rising stars of Indian hockey to learn and get better.

“You can’t compare the Hockey India League and international hockey because the international matches come with more pressure,” said Sreejesh.

“They (the players) need to use their experience from HIL to play there (international hockey). If you are able to do that then this is the best platform for you to perform.

“So the Delhi SG Pipers are a part of the Hockey India League to support players to find their rhythm, find their talent, find their potential and to provide these talents to the national team,” he signed off.

Note:

- The Men’s matches of the HIL will take place between the 28th of December 2024 and the 1st of February 2025 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Rourkela.

The Women’s matches of the HIL will be played between the 12th of January and the 26th of January 2025 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium, Ranchi.

- Hockey India League 2024-25: Full schedule, fixtures, venues.

- Free passes may be booked on https://ticketgenie.in/