PR Sreejesh is a more interactive captain than Sardar Singh: Devindar Walmiki

Even in his wildest dreams Devindar Walmiki 23 never expected to be part of an Indian hockey team without his elder brother and mentor Yuvraj 26 by his side But as fate would have it hes ready to embark on one of international hockeys biggest assignments the Olympics while Yuvraj has fallen out of favourReady for Rio India hockey captain PR Sreejesh PicGetty ImagesDevindar also has an additional and crucial responsibility He is the lone Mumbai player to represent the country at the Olympics following a gap of 12 years after Mumbaibased Dhanraj Pillay Viren Rasquinha Adrian DSouza and Vikram Pillay were part of Team India at Athens 2004Also ReadSardar Singh removed from captaincy Sreejesh to lead India at RioIn an interview with midday Devindar says hes up for every challenge but crucially its the change of leadership in Indian hockey mdash goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was yesterday announced by Hockey India as the skipper for Rio Games mdash that promises exciting times aheadExcerptsOn brother YuvrajYuvi is the reason I began playing hockey so this Olympics is dedicated to him Yuvraj was in the team when I made my India debut at the Hockey World League in Belgium last yearTogether we planned to play for India for long making our family and country proud en route Unfortunately he got injured and then eventually did not get picked for RioBut Yuvi is very proud of what I have achieved He has told me that its not enough to merely make it to the squad He says I have to ensure that the Indian team does well and finishes on the podium and for that I must give my 110 percent at all timesOn new captain SreejeshIndian hockey made history by winning a silver medal at the FIH Champions Trophy recently under Sreejesh so that proves hes a fine leader But more importantly hes a very interactive captain unlike someone like Sardar who is more on the quieter side Off the field any of us junior players can go up to Sreejesh and crack a nonveg joke or even use abusive language in a casual conversation and he wont mind itOn the field he is our wall I always tell him that he alone is equal to the remaining 10 members of the team because when the rest of the team is beaten it is he who stands like a wall between the opponent and the goalOn the Mumbai factorWhatever I am today is because of Mumbai hockey This Olympic opportunity is a result of the numerous hours Yuvi and I spent literally living in the Mumbai Hockey Associations premises We were given free access to the turf by the MHA authorities for which we are eternally gratefulThen there are mentors like Dhanraj Pillay sir and Bawa Marzban Patel who have guided us throughout Today also when the Rio lineup was being announced and my name was taken Dhanraj sir screamed with excitement and pride to see a Mumbai player make the squad Thats the passion we Mumbai guys have for the game and I hope I can play with the same fervour in Rio and prove to be an inspiration for many city playersOn his form and fitnessI suffered a shoulder injury during the last Hockey India League but thanks to Hockey India I recovered well and made a comeback at the Champions Trophy where I scored twice I also scored in the sixnation tournament thereafter so my form and fitness are both at its peak Now its only a matter of delivering the goods in Rio