Born on May 8, 1988, in the small village of Kizhakkambalam in Kerala, Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh grew up in a farming family. He attended St. Antony’s Lower Primary School and St. Joseph’s High School, living a typical village life. Sreejesh tried many sports like sprinting, long jump, and volleyball before finding his true calling. It was at GV Raja Sports School in Thiruvananthapuram that his coach recognized his potential as a goalkeeper, starting Sreejesh on his journey to becoming a hockey star.
Sreejesh’s journey into professional hockey began when coach Jayakumar picked him at GV Raja Sports School. His talent quickly shone through as he played in the Nehru Cup, which led to his debut with the junior national team in 2004 against Australia. His standout performances earned him the title of ‘Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament’ at the 2008 Junior Asia Cup, showing that he was a rising star in Indian hockey.
In 2006, Sreejesh made his senior national team debut at the South Asian Games in Colombo. By 2011, he had firmly established himself in the team as a key player. A turning point in his career came in the 2011 Asian Champions Trophy final against Pakistan, where he saved two crucial penalty strokes, helping India secure the victory. This performance highlighted his skills and made him a crucial part of the Indian hockey team.
Sreejesh’s career is full of highlights, especially his contributions to India’s success in the Asian Games. His incredible saves in the 2014 Asian Games final against Pakistan helped India win the gold medal, a feat he repeated at the 2022 Asian Games. His consistent performances in these tournaments made him one of the greatest goalkeepers in Indian hockey history.
In 2016, Sreejesh became the captain of the Indian hockey team, marking a new chapter in his career. Under his leadership, the team achieved important successes, including a silver medal at the 2016 Champions Trophy in London. But his greatest achievement came at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where his key saves against Germany helped India win a historic bronze medal, ending a 41-year Olympic medal drought for Indian hockey.He followed this up with another bronze medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics, further cementing his legacy.
Here’s a table summarizing the major tournaments PR Sreejesh has won throughout his career:
| Year | Tournament | Medal |
| 2008 | Junior Asia Cup | Gold |
| 2011 | Asian Champions Trophy | Gold |
| 2014 | Asian Games | Gold |
| 2016 | Asian Champions Trophy | Gold |
| 2016 | FIH Champions Trophy (London) | Silver |
| 2017 | Asia Cup | Gold |
| 2018 | Asian Champions Trophy | Gold (Shared) |
| 2021 | FIH Hockey Pro League | Bronze |
| 2020 | Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021) | Bronze |
| 2022 | Asian Games | Gold |
| 2024 | Paris Olympics | Bronze |
Throughout his career, Sreejesh has received many awards, including the Padma Shri in 2017 and the Khel Ratna Award in 2021. His contributions have not only lifted Indian hockey to new heights but have also inspired a new generation of athletes. His participation in domestic leagues, particularly the Hockey India League, further solidified his reputation as a top goalkeeper.
After nearly two decades of an outstanding career, PR Sreejesh announced his retirement following the 2024 Paris Olympics. His journey from a small village in Kerala to becoming the ‘Great Wall of India’ in field hockey is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and passion for the sport. Sreejesh’s legacy will continue, not only in the records he set and the medals he won but also in the hearts of millions who saw in him the example of hard work and excellence.
