Tokyo Olympics medallists Rupinder Pal, Birendra Lakra retire from int'l hockey

Dragflicker Rupinder Pal Singh and defender Birendra Lakra who played starring roles in the Indian hockey teams historic bronze medalwinning Tokyo Olympics campaign on Thursday announced their international retirements within hours of each other creating quite a flutterWhile Rupinder quit to make way for youngsters and announced his decision by posting a statement on his Twitter page Lakras retirement was confirmed by Hockey IndiaIt has been learnt from reliable sources that both the players decided to quit after they were informed that they will not find a place in Indias scheme of things going forward and will be ignored for the national camp that starts in Bengaluru next week The 30yearold regarded as one of the best dragflickers of the country Rupinder represented India in 223 matchesNicknamed Bob Rupinder scored four crucial goals including a penalty stroke in the thirdplace match against Germany during Indias bronzemedal winning campaign in Tokyo 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 Rupinder wrote in a statement on his official twitter handleI 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 IndiaHours later Lakra followed suit with Hockey India officially announcing his retirement The player is however yet to make a statement of his own on the matterA solid defender and one of the most influential Indian Mens Hockey Team figures the Odisha star has announced his retirement from the Indian national team Happy Retirement Birendra Lakra HI tweetedThe 31yearold Lakra was one of the vice captains of Indias bronze medalwinning side in Tokyo He was also a part of the 2014 gold medalwinning Incheon Asian Games team and the side that claimed bronze in 2018 Jakarta Lakra who was born on February 3 1990 in Lachchada village in the Sundergarh district of Odisha played 201 matches for IndiaA a reliable centreback known for his calm and composed attitude when put under pressure Lakra made his debut in 2012 in a Test series against South Africa and was part of the Indian team that finished last in the 2012 London Games Rupinders decision was also motivated by his injury breakdownsAccording to sources Rupinder wanted to continue till next years Asian Games but once he was told that he wont be selected in the national camp the player decided to make way for youngsters Rupinders journey from Faridkot in Punjab to the podium in Tokyo was full of hardships and several comebacksSoon after making his international debut in May 2010 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh Rupinder became a vital cog in Indias backline and along with VR Raghunath formed a lethal dragflick combination Apart from his fearless defending Rupinder was the goto man for any skipper for penalty corner and spot situationsRupinders wellbuilt physique and tall frame was a dangerous sight for any teams defence in penalty corner situations He was also known for his smart variationsHe was named as vicecaptain of Indias 2014 World Cup campaign besides being a member of the Commonwealth Games silver medalwinning side the same yearRupinder has two Asian Games medals in his kitty a gold in 2014 Incheon and bronze in 2018 Jakarta But he became one of the scapegoats after the Asian Games disappointment as he was mostly ignored in the overhaul of the team In between injuries too didnt help his cause as a hamstring problem almost ended his career in 2017 a time he once described as the toughest phase of his lifeHarmanpreet Singh benefitted the most from Rupinders sixmonth long injury layoff but after his successful return the two became Indias trump cards from short corners and their pairing continued till Tokyo Rupinders greatest success came in this years Tokyo GamesI have had the honour of wearing the India jersey in 223 matches and each of these matches were special I am leaving the team feeling happy and content as we have conquered the greatest dream which was to win an Olympic medal for India he said I will carry with me nothing but great memories of playing with some of the most talented players in world hockey and I have immense respect for each one of them he saidMy teammates have been a great pillar of support all these years and I wish them the best as they surge ahead in taking India to newer heights in hockeyRupinder credited his success to his friends and family especially his parents None of this success I enjoy today would have been possible without the support and encouragement from my friends and family particularly my mother and father I walked into every match thinking of themHe also thanked Hockey India and all those who played a big part in shaping his career I thank Hockey India for having faith in me all these years I also thank Baba Shershah Wali academy and coaches Firozpur where my journey in hockey began I thank my friends and coaches from Faridkot from where I have some good memories as a young playerAlso Read Hockey helps homeless Matunga teenager surviveThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever