A New Goal: PR Sreejesh times his transition from player to mentor perfectly

After a storied career guarding India’s goalpost, PR Sreejesh has officially stepped into a new role. No longer clad in the goalkeeper’s gear that became his second skin for over 15 years, Sreejesh has swapped the action-packed turf for the sidelines, taking on the role of Director and Mentor for the Delhi SG Pipers, one of the franchises in the newly-revived Hockey India League (HIL), starting December 28.
For someone who spent years donning the pads and helmet with unwavering commitment, this transition marks a significant shift. But for Sreejesh, the move was a natural evolution—one that he had been preparing for long before his retirement. “It’s not a preparation of one-and-a-half months; it’s a preparation of the last few years,” he told IndiaToday.in.
“Coming out of the system is tough. Getting out of the player’s mentality is really tough.”
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The decision to leave behind his playing days didn’t come easily, but it was carefully timed. Fresh off the high of securing his second Olympic medal with the Indian men’s team at the Paris 2024 Games, Sreejesh had the option to continue competing. Yet, he chose to walk away when the world was still applauding his brilliance.
“Somewhere in my mind, I wanted to play one or two more seasons of the Hockey India League. But I wanted people to remember me finishing on the top note. Paris was the best,” he said.
Sreejesh’s retirement, and his decision to not participate in the HIL player auction, signalled that the curtain had closed on one phase of his career—but it also opened the door to an exciting new opportunity.
The return of the HIL after a seven-year hiatus had tempted Sreejesh to lace up his boots once more. Initially, he had even signed up for the player auction, before reconsidering and pulling out. “After consulting with everyone—my coaches, my well-wishers, my family – we all came to the conclusion that I had my best time in Paris and I needed to move on,” Sreejesh explained.
It was at that crucial moment that tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi, CEO of the SG Pipers group that owns the Delhi franchise, stepped in. Bhupathi’s approach couldn’t have been better timed.
“At the right time, Mahesh bhai approached me with this offer. He said the right things, and I was convinced that this is the right platform,” Sreejesh recalled, his excitement for the new role evident.
“I think HIL is the right platform for me to test myself and mature into a different challenge. I am looking forward to it, let’s see where it goes in the next three years.”
Working with Bhupathi, another athlete who understands the pressures and demands of elite sport, was part of the reason Sreejesh was drawn to the Delhi SG Pipers.
Bhupathi himself echoed that sentiment, revealing that their shared background as top-level athletes helped build mutual trust. “I think we are both athletes; that definitely played a big part in it,” Bhupathi said. “I gave him comfort on our vision. I think it fits right in with what he wanted to do in his second innings as well.”
Sreejesh had reportedly received offers from several franchises, but Delhi felt like the right fit.
“Everyone wants experts,” he said, referring to the wave of interest from other teams.
“Initially, I declined all the offers because I thought I was going to play the Hockey India League. Then, when I made the decision [to retire], Mahesh bhai was there right in front of me. It was easy for me to work with another sportsperson.”
For Bhupathi, landing someone of Sreejesh’s calibre was a no-brainer.
“Sreejesh is a champion,” he said. “He has achieved special things for India and for himself. When we started the franchise, we wanted to be associated with special people. It happened very quickly, and we are very happy.”
Sreejesh’s appointment comes as the Hockey India League is set to return with a lot of expectations. The league, which had been a springboard for many of India’s top players between 2013 and 2017, is expected to provide the same platform once again. For Sreejesh, this is one of the biggest reasons he was drawn to the HIL in a non-playing capacity.
“Hockey India League is a nursery for young Indian players,” Sreejesh said, emphasising the importance of the league for grooming future stars.
“They get to play with all kinds of players. When foreign players come, they can learn about how they train, how they play, how they prepare for the matches and team meetings.”
For Sreejesh, the pressure of playing in front of large crowds is a crucial part of the development process.
“When it comes to pressure management, they are playing in front of 20,000 people,” he explained, noting that venues like Rourkela, which will host the men’s leg of the tournament, can draw upwards of 15,000 fans.
“From Day 1, these players will learn.”
Sreejesh isn’t speaking from theory. The last editions of the HIL, he believes, played a significant role in India’s hockey success in recent years.
“When the last edition of Hockey India League happened, that helped Indian hockey, not just at the grassroots level, but at the top level,” he said, attributing part of India’s recent triumphs—including two Olympic medals—to the players’ exposure to high-pressure situations in the HIL.
As the HIL gears up for its much-anticipated return, Sreejesh is ready to embrace his new challenge with the same dedication that defined his career on the field.
“I am quite busy right now,” he said, outlining his new schedule that involves working with Delhi SG Pipers and joining the junior national team on October 6.
Despite his new role, the competitive spirit that drove him throughout his playing career remains undiminished. “I will train for sure,” he quipped, admitting he still has the urge to put on his goalkeeping gear—but now, it’s just for fun.
Asked if he might switch to a more formal wardrobe, given his new administrative role, Sreejesh laughed and shook his head. “No. Once I am out of here, it’s always going to be a jersey and t-shirt,” he said.
For Sreejesh, the mentor role with Delhi SG Pipers is more than just a job—it’s a calling, an opportunity to give back to the sport that has given him so much. He’s excited, but he’s also realistic about the challenges that lie ahead.
As the Hockey India League gears up for its much-anticipated return, all eyes will be on Sreejesh and the Delhi SG Pipers. For the Indian hockey legend, this is just the beginning of a new chapter—one where he trades his goalkeeper pads for a mentor’s cap but remains, as always, a guiding force for Indian hockey.