Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has expressed his intention to emulate Rahul Dravid’s coaching career after his recent retirement from international hockey. PR Sreejesh, who concluded his illustrious career with back-to-back bronze medals at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, is preparing to embark on a new chapter as a coach.
Following his retirement, PR Sreejesh will begin his coaching journey by taking charge of the Indian junior hockey team. He has articulated his desire to follow in the footsteps of former Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid, who has been noted for his successful transition from a player to a coach. Sreejesh aims to develop young talent and gradually build a strong team for the future before advancing to coach the senior national team.
PR Sreejesh has outlined a strategic plan for his coaching career. He plans to spend the next several years focusing on nurturing junior players and gradually integrating them into the senior team. His goal is to contribute to the Indian hockey team’s success in the 2036 Olympics, which India may host. Sreejesh has given himself a timeline of eight years to prepare for a potential chief coach position, hoping to guide India to success in the 2036 Olympic Games.
“My ambition is to become a coach. It has always been part of my plan, but the timing is crucial. After retirement, family commitments come first, and I need to discuss this with them,” PR Sreejesh told PTI. He emphasized his intention to develop a robust pipeline of talent, starting with the junior level and progressing to the senior team by around 2030.
PR Sreejesh’s approach mirrors Rahul Dravid’s successful coaching career, where he focused on building a team from the ground up, culminating in his role as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. Rahul Dravid, who stepped down from his role after the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA, had taken over from Ravi Shastri in November 2021 and led India to notable successes across all formats of the game.
PR Sreejesh’s strategy reflects a commitment to long-term planning and player development, aiming to replicate the impactful coaching legacy left by Rahul Dravid in cricket.
