Veteran Indian hockey star Lalit Kumar Upadhyay has revealed that despite requests from captain Harmanpreet Singh and teammates to continue, he had already made up his mind to retire from international hockey. The 32-year-old midfielder, a two-time Olympic bronze medallist, announced his decision following India’s European leg of the FIH Pro League.
🏑 “Didn’t Want to Drag Myself”: Upadhyay on Retirement Call
“I have taken this decision myself. I did not want to drag myself. Many people, including (captain) Harmanpreet Singh, wanted me to keep playing but I had made up my mind,” Upadhyay told PTI.
He emphasized that his decision was not influenced by India’s poor Pro League performance, where the team lost seven consecutive matches. Instead, he wanted to retire at his peak, citing good form and fitness despite a recent ligament injury.
🥇 A Decorated Career Comes Full Circle
Upadhyay retires with:
- 183 international caps and 67 goals
- Olympic bronze medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024
- Asian Games gold (2022) and bronze (2018)
- Commonwealth Games silver (2022)
- Arjuna Award (2021)
His journey from a small village in Varanasi to the Olympic podium is a story of resilience and redemption. He overcame a career-threatening controversy in 2008 and went on to become one of India’s most reliable forwards.
🏠 What’s Next for Lalit?
While stepping away from international duties, Upadhyay confirmed he will continue playing domestic hockey and league tournaments. He also expressed interest in coaching, stating:
“If Hockey India wants, I am ready for it. I want to help the future generation of hockey players”.
Stay tuned for more stories celebrating India’s sporting legends.
