PR Sreejesh, the legendary former Indian hockey goalkeeper, has revealed his ambition to transition into a coaching career, drawing significant inspiration from the coaching philosophy of cricketing icon Rahul Dravid. With a vision to contribute to Indian hockey’s future, Sreejesh aims to follow a trajectory similar to Dravid’s, focusing on nurturing young talent and building a robust foundation for the national team.
Sreejesh, who played a pivotal role in India’s bronze medal win at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, has always had coaching in his sights. As he contemplates his future post-retirement, Sreejesh envisions a long-term plan that would see him rise through the ranks, starting with junior teams and eventually taking the helm as the chief coach of the Indian national team by the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Following Dravid’s Footsteps
Rahul Dravid, widely regarded as one of the finest cricketers India has ever produced, embarked on his coaching journey by nurturing India’s Under-19 and India A teams before being appointed the head coach of the senior side. Dravid’s approach, which emphasized the development of young players, was instrumental in creating a steady pipeline of talent for Indian cricket. His tenure culminated in a historic T20 World Cup victory earlier this year, marking a successful end to his stint as India’s head coach.
Sreejesh sees a parallel between his aspirations and Dravid’s journey. “I want to become a coach. That was always my plan, but now there is a question of when,” Sreejesh shared in an interview. “The way I wanted to start is with the juniors, much like Rahul Dravid did. You develop a bunch of players, get them into the senior team, and let them follow you.”
A Roadmap to 2036 Olympics
Sreejesh’s coaching roadmap is ambitious yet well-structured. He plans to begin his coaching career at the grassroots level, working closely with junior players and gradually progressing to more senior roles. By 2025, he aims to be involved in coaching the junior national team, particularly with an eye on the Junior World Cup. His objective is to develop a pool of 20 to 40 players who could potentially make the senior national team by 2028.
“By 2029, I hope to have around 15-20 players from my batch in the senior team, and by 2030, nearly 30-35 players,” Sreejesh explained. “This steady development process will ensure that by 2032, I will be ready to take on the role of chief national coach.”
Sreejesh’s ultimate goal is to lead the Indian hockey team as the chief coach at the 2036 Olympics, which could potentially be held in India if the country succeeds in its bid to host the Games. “If India gets to host the 2036 Olympic Games, I want to be the India coach,” Sreejesh affirmed with determination.
Family First, Coaching Next
Despite his clear vision, Sreejesh acknowledges the importance of balancing his professional ambitions with his personal life. “After retirement, family comes first. I need to talk with them if they are OK with this. Now you have to listen to your wife a little bit,” he said with a smile, emphasizing the need for his family’s support in pursuing his coaching aspirations.
Sreejesh’s legacy as a player is already well-established, with numerous accolades to his name, including his significant contributions to India’s historic Olympic bronze medals. As he prepares to embark on the next phase of his career, the Indian hockey community will undoubtedly be watching closely, hopeful that his coaching journey will be as successful as his playing career.
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