Kolkata: Two of India’s best players announced their retirements on Thursday, which made the day a gloomy one for Indian hockey fraternity. However, the entire hockey community will always be grateful to them for their great contribution to the country’s national game, which can never be measured or compensated by anybody.
Olympic bronze medalist Birendra Lakra has reportedly announced his retirement from the Indian hockey national team on Thursday. This has been informed by Hockey India through its Twitter handle.
“A solid defender and one of the most influential Indian Men’s Hockey Team figures, the Odisha star has announced his retirement from the Indian national team. Happy Retirement, Birendra Lakra,” said Hockey India in a Twitter post.
2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣ Caps
🥉 Olympic Bronze MedallistA solid defender and one of the most influential Indian Men's Hockey Team figures, the Odisha star has announced his retirement from the Indian national team.
Happy Retirement, Birendra Lakra. 🙌#IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/p8m8KkWDb4
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) September 30, 2021
Lakhra had been chosen as the vice captain for Tokyo Olympics that recently held in the summer. He was also instrumental in leading India to the quarterfinals of the 2012 Champions Trophy, when they defeated Belgium with a solitary goal scored via a ball he made to the forward.
Ironically, earlier in the day, another veteran player, Rupinder Pal Singh, announced his international retirement with immediate effect “to make way for youngsters”. He played a starring role in the Indian hockey team’s historic bronze-winning Tokyo Olympics campaign.
The 30-year-old, who is regarded as one of India’s top drag-flickers, has played in 223 matches for the country. Rupinder, dubbed “Bob,” scored four key goals in India’s bronze-medal winning effort in Tokyo, including a penalty shot in the third-place match against Germany. Given his health and form, he definitely had a few more years remaining in the game, the choice came as a shock.
He announced this disheartening news through his twitter handle. The post stated, “The past couple of months have undoubtedly been the best days of my life. Standing on the podium in Tokyo along with my teammates with whom I have shared some of the most incredible experiences of my life was a feeling I will cherish forever.”
“I believe it is time for me to make way for young and talented players to experience every great joy that I have felt in these last 13 years of representing India,” it further read.
Hi everyone, wanted to share an important announcement with you all. pic.twitter.com/CwLFQ0ZVvj
— Rupinder Pal Singh (@rupinderbob3) September 30, 2021
Rupinder became a critical element in India’s backline soon after making his international debut in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh in May 2010, and created a dangerous drag flick combo with VR Raghunath. Aside from his brave defending, Rupinder was any skipper’s “go-to” man for penalty corners and spot situations. He was selected vice-captain of India’s World Cup team in 2014, as well as a member of the silver-medal-winning Commonwealth Games team in the same year.
