Quotes from P. R. Sreejesh

When you play big matches there is a lot of pressure.

International matches are competitive and challenging, even for a normal player.

I enjoy endurance training with 5 to 10-kilometre runs. Weight training comes a close second.

Playing against Pakistan automatically motivates our team to perform well.

The motivation will always be there to change the colour of the medal in Paris.

In the morning, I try to read self-help books and books on meditation.

Experience. I have that in abundance and that is what I can share.

Books changed my perception about the sacrifices we make as athletes.

The best part of any game is that we forget all that happens outside the field when we play, it is a game and we give our best.

I always believe in trying something extra-ordinary and fighting against myself, gives me the biggest confidence boost.

The quality of players at the domestic level is very low when they come to the Indian camp. From that level to reach the international level, they will have to do lot of hard work at the Indian camp.

When I got injured, when I did the surgery, I made a promise to myself: I will wear the India jersey again.

We cannot say that Asian Champions Trophy is that easy a contest.

We are Asian champions, but we cannot take chances.

Sometimes I miss my family badly. In those weak moments, books come to my rescue because they help me think differently.

People in my state, Kerala, have started playing hockey, which is very pleasing to see.

The captain is not in total command of the match. The man who is possessing the ball at a given time is the captain.

In inter-state tournaments, they used to make fun of my gear. It didn't bother me. I had my body and my biggest weapon was my mind.

Our shoes weather a lot of blows and sometimes a wrong movement can cause them to come apart in half.

If I've been disciplined through the week, on Sunday I treat myself to mutton biryani. I can have up to one kg of it for a meal.

Since 2012, we have had only consultant coaches. They fine-tuned my basics.

I have always said being part of the team and winning a medal for my country was my first preference.

The multi-captaincy system helps me to concentrate and focus on my responsibility. In my case, I can concentrate on my goalkeeping, and others on their responsibilities allotted to them like scoring goals, defending and things like that.

Hockey is not an individual game. It is rather a team game.