Krishan Pathak, India’s No. 1 goalkeeper after P.R. Sreejesh’s retirement, says he is not under pressure for being the most preferred custodian of Vedanta Kalinga Lancers in the Hockey India League (HIL).
Pathak has featured in all seven matches of the Lancers, which has recorded three wins and has gathered 10 points in a roller-coaster ride so far.
Lancers made a determined effort to get 27-year-old Pathak in the HIL auctions as they knew that having a top-class Indian keeper would enable them to press five foreigners as field players. “There is no additional pressure. Rather it’s good that I am getting to play full matches. I am ready to play well for my franchise,” Pathak told Sportstar, ahead of Lancers’ first Pool A match against Delhi SG Pipers as the men’s competition is all set to enter its second phase here on Sunday.
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“Since this is my first HIL, I want to give my best and show consistency. Everything comes down to how you control your mind. So, I try to remain focused and work to achieve my goals,” he said.
BENGALURU KARNATAKA 29/08/2024 : Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Hockey India goalkeeper, at Sports Authority of India, NS Southern Centre Bangalore (SAI), inside Jnanabharathi Campus, off Mysuru road, in Bengaluru. Photo MURALI KUMAR K / The Hindu
| Photo Credit:
MURALI KUMAR K
BENGALURU KARNATAKA 29/08/2024 : Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Hockey India goalkeeper, at Sports Authority of India, NS Southern Centre Bangalore (SAI), inside Jnanabharathi Campus, off Mysuru road, in Bengaluru. Photo MURALI KUMAR K / The Hindu
| Photo Credit:
MURALI KUMAR K
Speaking about the camaraderie among Lancers’ goalkeepers, including Briton Toby Reynolds-Cotteril and Indian Sahil Kumar, Pathak said, “We exchange notes. When we train we discuss how to do certain things. We share a lot of things with each other about the penalty corner defence. Sahil, the junior goalkeeper, is also there. We work together and learn from each other.”
About his status as the No. 1 custodian of the country after Sreejesh’s retirement, Pathak said, “The benchmark for Indian goalkeepers is very high. I have to live up to that standard. I try my best to keep my performance level high. Obviously, when you play for your country and you know that you are the No. 1 goalkeeper, it boosts your confidence. But when you play continuously, you have to remain prepared as well.”