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P. R. Sreejesh Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 1, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth8 May 1986

Age39 Years

BirthplaceKizhakkambalam, Kerala

ProfessionRetired Field Hockey Player, Hockey Coach

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseAneeshya

FamilySon - Sreeansh; Daughter - Anusree; Father - P. V. Raveendran; Mother - Usha; Brother - Sreejith Parattu Raveendran

P. R. Sreejesh Biography

Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh is a retired Indian field hockey goalkeeper and current coach, celebrated for match-saving performances, leadership of the men

Early life and background

Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh was born on 8 May 1986 in Kizhakkambalam, Kerala. He grew up in a Malayalam-speaking family and attended local schools including St. Antony's Lower Primary School and St. Joseph High School in Kizhakkambalam. He later graduated in history from Sree Narayana College, Kollam.

Sport ran in his childhood activities: he tried long jump, volleyball and sprinting before focusing on hockey. At 12 he enrolled at the GV Raja Sports School in Thiruvananthapuram, where coaches encouraged him to pursue organized sports. It was during his time there that a coach named Jayakumar chose him for the school hockey team as a goalkeeper, a position that suited his build and ultimately shaped his professional path.

Career

Sreejesh progressed through junior ranks, making the junior national team in 2004 and playing his first match for that side against Australia in Perth. He made his senior international debut at the 2006 South Asian Games in Colombo. Early in his senior career he spent time as a reserve before a dramatic penalty-stroke save against Pakistan in the 2011 Asian Champions Trophy final brought him wider recognition.

As Indias principal goalkeeper over the following decade, Sreejesh played a central role in multiple continental and global tournaments. He helped India win the Asia Cup in 2013 and was named Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament at that event. In 2014 he was part of the Indian side that won gold at the Asian Games in Incheon and earned the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award at the 2014 Champions Trophy.

Sreejesh served as Indias captain from July 2016 and led the team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Under his leadership India reached the quarterfinals of that Games, and the team also won a silver medal at the 2016 Champions Trophy. After a period out of the captaincy, he returned to guide India to further podium finishes, including a silver at the Breda Champions Trophy and bronze at the 2018 Asian Games.

Club and league play featured in his career as well. He was signed by Mumbai Magicians for play in the Hockey India League and later represented UP Wizards.

In 2018 Sreejesh suffered major knee injuries—ACL, MCL and meniscus—which sidelined him for over eight months and required a prolonged rehabilitation that included relearning to walk. He returned to international play in a New Zealand test series.

One of the high points of his later career came at the Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021). As captain, he led India to a bronze medal, the countrys first Olympic hockey medal since 1980.

On 8 August 2024 Sreejesh announced his retirement from international hockey just before Indias bronze-medal match at the Paris Olympics. Soon after announcing his playing retirement, Hockey India appointed him head coach of the junior mens team, a role he had previously expressed interest in.

Achievements and honours

Across his career Sreejesh collected multiple individual and national honours. He received the Arjuna Award in 2015 and the Padma Shri in 2017. He was later awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021. International recognition for his goalkeeping came via FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2024. Additional honors listed in his record include the Baljit Singh Goalkeeper of the Year Award and, according to the documented timeline, a Padma Bhushan in 2025.

His medal record with India includes gold at the 2014 Asian Games and the 2014 Asian Games gold, silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2016 Champions Trophy, bronze at the 2015 FIH World League event held in Raipur and bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Public profile

Known in media and among fans as PR or The Wall of Indian Hockey, Sreejesh has been a visible public figure beyond the field. A road in his hometown carries his name in recognition of his contributions to Indian hockey. He has also modelled for clothing brands and maintained a public presence on social media.

Personal life

Sreejesh married Aneeshya, a former long jumper and Ayurveda doctor, on 12 May 2013 at the Maha Vishnu Temple in Kizhakkambalam. The couple has two children: a son named Sreeansh and a daughter named Anusree. His parents are P. V. Raveendran, who worked as a farmer, and Usha, a homemaker. He has a brother, Sreejith Parattu Raveendran.

Outside hockey he enjoys reading and cooking. Physical details recorded for him list a height of about 1.83 m (6) and a weight around 79 kg. He reportedly has a tribal tattoo on his left shoulder.

Latest updates

After retiring in August 2024, Sreejesh transitioned into coaching when Hockey India named him head coach of the junior mens team. The same month, Hockey India announced the retirement of the senior mens jersey number 16 as a tribute to him while retaining the number at junior levels. At the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics he was chosen to be one of Indias flag bearers alongside Manu Bhaker.

He continues to be associated with Indian hockey in a coaching capacity and remains a celebrated figure for his contributions as a goalkeeper and leader.
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Recent Work

Head coach, India junior mens hockey team

Appointed by Hockey India shortly after announcing retirement from international play on 8 August 2024.

2024
Retired as India player

Announced retirement from international hockey prior to Indias bronze-medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

2024
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Career Highlights

  1. Senior international debut at the 2006 South Asian Games, Colombo
  2. Saved a penalty stroke in the 2011 Asian Champions Trophy final
  3. Asia Cup winner (2013) and Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament (2013)
  4. Gold medallist at the 2014 Asian Games; Goalkeeper of the Tournament at 2014 Champions Trophy
  5. Captain of India (appointed July 2016) and led team to Olympic bronze in Tokyo 2021
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was P. R. Sreejesh born?

8 May 1986

What is P. R. Sreejesh known for?

Retired Field Hockey Player, Hockey Coach

What is P. R. Sreejesh’s marital status?

Married

Who is P. R. Sreejesh married to?

Aneeshya