Harmanpreet’s tribute to Sreejesh shows his quality as a leader

For Harmanpreet, ensuring that the legendary goalkeeper left on a high note was paramount. (PTI Photo)

It was a deeply emotional moment for all Indians when bronze medal-winning captain Harmanpreet Singh hoisted the veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh on to his shoulders and carried him around the field at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium. Thousands of miles away, Indians were experiencing a mix of emotions. While there was joy over winning the bronze medal, there was also sadness knowing this was Sreejesh’s final game — a player who had dedicated so much to his country.

Sreejesh, visibly moved, took a moment to sit on the goalpost in his iconic pose, after which Harmanpreet was ready to lift him up. This gesture echoed the unforgettable moment when Sachin Tendulkar was lifted up on to his teammates’ shoulders after India’s 2011 World Cup victory. Sreejesh, like Tendulkar, played a crucial role in his team's success, including their win against Spain.

Great players rise to the occasion, and that’s exactly what Harmanpreet did for his team, helping India secure a 2-1 victory on Thursday to claim the bronze. This victory was a fitting farewell gift to Sreejesh, and it sealed a second consecutive Olympic bronze.

For Harmanpreet, ensuring that the legendary goalkeeper left on a high note was paramount. “Some of the boys on our team are as young as Sreejesh’s career is long,” he said after the game. “His journey has been stellar, and it was an emotional moment for us. We are thrilled to have won the bronze medal for the country and for Sreejesh.”

Team India found themselves trailing in the second quarter when Spanish captain Marc Miralles scored from a penalty stroke in the 18th minute. However, India didn’t lose heart, and Harmanpreet struck back in the 30th and 33rd minutes to give his team the lead. Despite Spain’s continued attacks, Sreejesh stood like a wall between the posts, guiding his team to a memorable win.

Harmanpreet smashed 10 goals during the tournament. Seven of them came from penalty corners, with the other three from penalty strokes.

The journey of Indian hockey’s “Sarpanch Sahab” began in humble surroundings. Born in Jandiala Guru in Amritsar district of Punjab, Harmanpreet worked on farms and drove tractors in his youth. However, he soon traded the gear stick for a hockey stick, and the rest, as they say, is history.

To refine his skills, young Harmanpreet joined Surjeet Academy in Jalandhar in 2011, where he was mentored by seniors Gaganpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh, both penalty-corner specialists. After a successful stint with the junior national team at the 2014 Sultan of Johor Cup, he made his debut at the 2016 Olympics. With over 150 goals in nearly 200 appearances for the national team, Harmanpreet was appointed captain for the Hockey World Cup in January 2023, where the team finished a disappointing ninth. However, the ace drag-flicker has since grown into his role as captain, leading the team to gold at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou and bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Still young and driven, Harmanpreet looks set for more success, with a team capable of achieving great things.