‘It Comes With Added Responsibility’, Krishan Bahadur Pathak Reflects On Being India’s Main Goalkeeper After PR Sreejesh’s Retirement

New Delhi: Krishan Bahadur Pathak is getting into one of a diffusion of most nerve-racking roles in Indian hockey: that of the first-decision goalkeeper. As he prepares to fill the total footwear of PR Sreejesh, the veteran who lately retired after the Paris Olympics, Pathak acknowledges the responsibility but remains positive about his new role.

Pathak, 27, from Kapurthala, Punjab, has been a steadfast presence in Indian hockey as a end results of the certainty his debut in 2018. With 125 appearances to his title, he's not any newcomer to the sport. Inspite of, stepping up because the humble goalkeeper after Sreejesh’s retirement brings delivered stress and accountability.

“It’s a classic-classification feeling to be the thought goalkeeper now, then once extra it comes with delivered accountability,” Pathak acknowledged in an interview with PTI. He reflects on the worthy policies discovered from Sreejesh all through the supreme six years, emphasizing teamwork and dedication. “What I consistently have learnt from Sree bhai is to pass which includes the workers… It’s a classic-classification feeling to take his quarter,” he delivered.

Pathak’s first great undertaking will be the Asian Champions Trophy, starting September eight in Hulunbuir, China. He's aware of the intense requirements set by Sreejesh, who modified into on the total a recreation-changer for India. “It'll be not trouble-free to fill his footwear seeing that he continued a 20-22 years journey to arrive this level,” Pathak admitted. Inspite of the responsibility, he is set to satisfy the benchmark set by his predecessor, acknowledging that even as it won’t be handy, dedication and self-discipline are key.

The Arjuna awardee’s standout second obtained here when he modified right into a part of the Asian Video games gold-successful workers supreme year. Inspite of the certainty he modified right into a reserve all through the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, Pathak remains committed to fulfilling Sreejesh’s dream of successful an Olympic gold, with eyes set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “Sree bhai straightforward to win an Olympic gold medal, a would love which remained unfulfilled, but he has seeing that accountability of fulfilling that dream to me,” Pathak shared.

Reflecting on his journey, Pathak revealed that hockey modified into no longer initially his sport of decision. “Nobody in my domestic is into exercise session routines issues to do. I started with football, after which my classmates brought me to hockey,” he acknowledged. His initial foray into goalkeeping modified into serendipitous, as he joined the workers devoid of prior journey with the role’s gear.

Pathak also credited Harendra Singh, former India males’s workers train and decreasing-edge women’s us of a broad train, for his pivotal role in his career. Singh’s booklet all through a personal trouble, when Pathak’s father passed away, modified into instrumental. “Harry Sir told me, ‘so on the total go to Nepal and attend the complete rituals, on the total. Your quarter inside of the workers is consistently steady,’” Pathak recalled.

As he prepares for his new role, Pathak’s level of hobby remains on upholding the intense requirements set by his predecessors and contributing to India’s future successes in international hockey.