Page 10 - Sportskeeda's Indian Sportsperson of the Year 2016

#16 PR Sreejesh

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 23: P.R. Sreejesh of India guards the goal during the Australia v India game during day two of the 2012 International Super Series at Perth Hockey Stadium on November 23, 2012 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images) — PR Sreejesh is the captain of the Indian hockey team

India Hockey team’s custodian and captain, PR Sreejesh, is one of the reasons of the huge success in Hockey this year. He is the one who holds the team together like glue.

This year he was made the captain of the team replacing Sardar Singh and he soon repaid the faith. Sreejesh led the team to two silver medals in the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament and the Champions Trophy in London.

He has impressed hockey experts and fans alike and has been nominated for the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award. Sreejesh did miss out on the Asian Champions Trophy and the Australian tour through injury.

However, the best moment of 2016 for him came in the Junior Hockey World Cup. Sreejesh was appointed as the goalkeeping coach of the junior team, his first coaching stint. The colts did not disappoint as India went on to lift the Junior Hockey World Cup after a gap of 15 years. His efforts, both as a player and as a coach, sees him placed on 16^th on this list.