Revelation: How Krishan Bahadur Pathak has slipped into PR Sreejesh's role as India goalkeeper

Add as a preferred source on Google

In less than 40 days, for Indian hockey to find a replacement for PR Sreejesh as a goalkeeper who could soak in the pressure and deliver on the big stage has been fantastic.

On Tuesday, at the Asian Champions Trophy final in Hulunbuir, China, India had to fight tooth and nail before pipping the hosts 1-0 to retain the trophy. Celebrations have begun, just like it was in Paris on October 8, when India won the bronze medal at the Olympics.

At that time, it was clear, goalkeeper PR Sreejesh would be walking into sunset. The big question was, who would replace him? Perhaps, not many had followed Indian hockey too closely, since Krishan Bahadur Pathak had been more than an understudy to Sreejesh. He had been playing in between, just that it went kind of unnoticed, as he often had half of the matches except for the Olympics, which only allowed one goalkeeper in the squad.

Even today, it is Harmanpreet Singh the skipper who is being hailed as the star, for his goal scoring abilities. But there has to be a mention of Indian hockey minus Sreejesh and a 'new' goalkeeper ready to shoulder the load.

To put things in perspective, Sreejesh was part of four Olympic campaigns from 2012 London to Paris 2024. London and Rio 2016 were disasters but Sreejesh redeemed himself in Tokyo. He was outstanding in Paris as a goalkeeper and the efforts he put in during the bronze medal playoff stood out. The celebrations for Sreejesh were special, as an integral part of the side was leaving. Yet, Sreejesh himself never was worried about how his successor would take over.

Pathak had been playing in spells, even with Sreejesh as the lead goalkeeper. Yet, to pitchfork him into the lead role as goalkeeper happened so fast. The transition has been swift and anyone who has watched Pathak play will vouch he has handled the pressure well. Even in a tight match like the final against China, Pathak did play his role. It is another matter, the jury voted Wang Caiyu of China as the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

Back to Krishan Bahadur Pathak, he has been part of Indian hockey from the junior stage. To be there with Sreejesh in the lead role meant Pathak was always flying below he radar. Yet, the stats tell a different story, he has played over 120 matches at various stages.

To say that he was being prepared for the job would be an understatement as he travelled with the team which had two goalkeepers. Yet, the big thing is to emerge from the shadows and play the main role, which has happened so smoothly. Sreejesh was a fantastic goalkeeper in every sense of being fit, sharp and agility which made him standout. Those who have watched both the India goalkeepers in action will concur, they kept pushing each other.

That is why Sreejesh never was worried when asked how his replacement would shape up, after the Olympics. In fact, the word 'replacement' would be a misnomer, since Pathak had been training with the team. Looking ahead, it will be important who are the two or three goalkeepers who can be groomed with Pathak.

Indian hockey has seen in the distant past brilliant goalkeepers like Ashish Ballal and AB Subbiah. For this generation, it has all been about Sreejesh. Sitting in Kerala, he must be happy his understudy Krishan Bahadur Pathak has shown a mettle and a cool approach. Big shoes, but he has filled in well. And this will surely give Pathak more confidence for the future assignments. Keep watching.