Krishan Bahadur Pathak Set to Succeed PR Sreejesh as India’s No. 1 Goalkeeper
PR Sreejesh’s retirement from international hockey after the Paris Olympics has left a void in the Indian team’s goalkeeping department. Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Sreejesh’s deputy for the past three years, is the frontrunner to succeed him.
Pathak, 27, has 125 caps and has shown maturity and temperament in several matches, including the Asian Games and World Cup. India’s goalkeeping consultant, Dennis van de Pol, believes Pathak is ready to fill Sreejesh’s shoes.
“Now is Pathak’s time. He has already shown that he can be on Sreejesh’s level,” van de Pol said. “During the 2023 World Cup, it didn’t matter whether we put Pathak or Sreejesh in the goal as both played equally well.”
However, Pathak has never been the No. 1 goalkeeper for India. He has always been Sreejesh’s deputy, and his only appearances in the Olympics and other major tournaments have been as a standby.
“It was of course a hard time for him, going to two Olympics and not getting any medal when the team is winning medals,” van de Pol said. “But he also knows now it is his time.”
With Pathak taking over as the No. 1 goalkeeper, the question is who will be his deputy. Van de Pol believes there are several talented young goalkeepers who could fill that role, including Suraj Karkera, Pawan Malik, and Mohit.
“Luckily, there are loads of guys who have proven themselves,” van de Pol said. “We will see who takes the second spot, but that is all up to their form.”
The first test for Pathak and Co will come at the Asian Champions Trophy in Hulunbuir City, China from September 8 to 17.