Sreejesh Ravindran also known as Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh is an Indian field hockey player and plays as a goalkeeper in the Indian national team and is its current captain. In the Hockey India League (HIL), he plays for Uttar Pradesh Wizards. On 13th Jul 2016, Sreejesh was handed over the responsibilities of the captain of Indian National hockey team were handed over from Sardar Singh.
Early Life of Sreejesh Ravindran
Sreejesh Ravindran was born on 8th May in the year 1986, in Kizhakkambalam village, in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. He was born to P. V. Raveendran and Usha, a family of farmers. Sreejesh Ravindran completed his primary education in St. Antony`s Lower Primary School in Kizhakkambalam and he studied until sixth standard in St. Joseph high school in Kizhakkambalam. As a kid, he was trained as a sprinter, before moving on to long jump and volleyball. At 12 years, Sreejesh Ravindran joined the GV Raja Sports School in Thiruvananthapuram. This was where his coach suggested that he take up goalkeeping. He completed his graduation in History from Sree Narayana College, Kollam, Kerala.
Career of Sreejesh Ravindran
Sreejesh Ravindran became a professional after he was picked by hockey coaches Jayakumar and Ramesh Kolappa at the school, following which he played at the school before playing at the Nehru Cup. Sreejesh Ravindran made into the junior national team in 2004, in a match against Australia in Perth, in 2004. He made his debut in the senior national team in 2006, at South Asian Games in Colombo. Following India`s win at the 2008 Junior Asia Cup, he was awarded the `Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament`. Having been a part of the Indian team for six years, though often losing his place to senior goalkeepers, Adrian D`Souza and Bharat Chettri, he became a regular member since 2011, after his match winning of two penalty stroke saves, in the Asian Champions Trophy Final in Ordos City, China, against Pakistan. His second `Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament` award came at the 2013 Asia Cup, with India finishing second in the tournament. He was a part of the team that won silver medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Sreejesh Ravindran in Olympics
Sreejesh Ravindran had earlier played for India at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and then World Cup in 2014. At the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, he starred in India`s gold medal win, when he saved two penalty strokes against Pakistan in the Final. At the 2014 Champions Trophy, he was adjudged "Goalkeeper of the Tournament". Following impressive performances in 2014, he was nominated for the award of Best Male Goalkeeper; he eventually lost to Jaap Stockmann of the Netherlands.
Captain of Hero Champions Trophy 2016
Sreejesh Ravindran was the captain of the team that won the silver medal at the Hero Champions Trophy 2016 held at London.
Sreejesh Ravindran in HIL
At the auction of the inaugural season of the Hockey India League, Sreejesh Ravindran was bought by the Mumbai franchise for USD 38,000. He has since played two seasons for their team, Mumbai Magicians. Prior to the 2015 season, he was bought by Uttar Pradesh Wizards US$ 69,000.
Personal life of Sreejesh Ravindran
Sreejesh Ravindran is married to Aneeshya, a former long jumper and an Ayurveda doctor. He is currently employed with Indian Overseas Bank.
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