Two defenders, both had as illustrious hockey career as the other, chose same day today to announce their retirement from international hockey. We will not see both defender Rupinder Pal Singh, known for his fighting spirit and scoring prowess at penalty corners and another bullwark Birendra Lakra on play anymore.

Indian men’s camp is about to start on 3rd October.  The core-group will form fulcrum on which Indian will seek laurels in the next year’s World Cup and Asian Games, if not the Commonwealth Games. It was therefore expected some senior players will announce their career decision. They did.

Both Rupinder and Birendra took to social media handles to announce the all important decision of their lives.

Rupinder also took a happy decision on the home front: his engagement was held a month ago.

Birendra, injury prone of late, and was also not in his elements at Tokyo, was expected to take stock of his career as it stands in the contemporary scene. He did.

He hung his boots. But the footprints he leaves behind will present to tell his story for the years to come.

Hailing from a humble background, charmed by others like Dilip Tirkey and Lazrus Barla, who shone on the international scene, Birendra Lakra, a product of Rourkela Steel plant’s hockey academy, had a long career.

Rupinder Pal, known for his crucial goals and saves, was heads and shoulders above the rest at the back of the Indian team.

This is his statement:

‘I would like to inform you about my decision to retire from the Indian hockey team. 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. I believe it is time for me to make way for young and talented players to experience every great joy I have felt in these last 13 years of representing India. I have had the honour of wearing the India jersey in 223 matches and each of these matches are special for I had the privilege of playing for this great sport-loving nation.