Quotes from P. R. Sreejesh

Hockey has changed drastically over the years. Indian greats then played on grass. Now we play on astro-turf.

We have an edge over the Asian countries because we are playing European and Indian style of hockey, but we need to perform consistently.

I never really expected the captaincy, honestly. It's a great honour to lead India at the Olympics.

I was so hooked to 'The Da Vinci Code' that I jumped out of bed at 2 A. M., and could only go back to sleep after I'd finished the final few chapters.

It's important that I stay positive in my messages during matches because the rest of the team is following the tone and tension in my voice. Nothing in my voice should let them down.

It was the toughest phase of my life. I suffered almost a career-ending injury. Getting through the first phase of my injury was tough.

In the Olympics we are facing the toughest opponents in the world so that shows that you do have the chance to beat any team at any given day.

Every tournament is important to me and I need to give my best.

When I prepare for any tournament, I just feel that I want to give my best in the tournament as I may not get the next opportunity and I don't want to regret it after this tournament.

Nothing is certain in a sportsperson's life. There can be an injury, performance can go down, others can do better than me.

Defender Birendra Lakra, unfortunately, had to miss Rio Olympics due to injury, but we had ready replacements - Harmanpreet Singh and Surender Kumar. They did better because they got the exposure of playing ahead of Olympics. That's the magic of rotational system.

Today I am a hero because of the saves. But If I had failed in saving the goal-bound shots in the Asiad finals, I would have been called a traitor.

I believe Indian hockey itself is going through a major phase of transformation. We set our sight on winning the gold medal at the Asian Games. We have achieved that.

I had ACL, MCL, and meniscus injuries on my right knee.

I know what was happening to me during the 2012 London Olympics. I was in a fantasy world. You look this side, Usain Bolt is walking, Serena Williams is sitting next to you and having food. So that is really a fantasy world for a youngster.

You can't win tournaments just with youngsters. In important matches we need experience.

When I started my career I used to concede a lot of goals but still every one had faith in me, they kept motivating me.

When you are with your team, you get the right motivation to work hard every day and get back to the field quickly.

The motto to work hard and get back that India jersey never died in me.

Your name never stands for anything, only performances do.

When a player gets injured, all negative thoughts come in. Then you bump into people who have had that problem and they start telling you about how difficult it is and that doesn't help.

When you are stepping on the field as a hockey player you are part of a dream and being a team member you have your responsibilities, you have your duties.

When I came to the national camp, I wore my pads to get the feel. I started to kick the ball, then stood in the pole and it felt positive. Since then, I am just focusing on making myself better than before.

I want to bring back that glory in our country because we are the Olympic champions. So I want to see that glory days back in India, hence I'm giving my hundred per cent to contribute my best.