Dhanraj Pillay is a retired Indian hockey player and former captain of the Indian national team. He is one of the best all time Hockey players of India. He created magic with his skills on the hockey field. His career lasted for 15 years and he participated in 4 Olympics, 4 World Cups and 4 Champions Trophy for India. He played 339 matches for India and scored around 170 goals. He used to play hockey with attacking attitude.
Dhanraj Pillay's Early Life and Background
- Name : Dhanraj Pillay
- Born : 16 July 1968
Khadki, Pune, Maharashtra, India - Father Name : Nagalingam Pillay
- Mother Name : Andalama
- Playing Position : Forward
Dhanraj Pillay was born on 16th July 1968 in Khadiki in Pune, Maharashtra to a poor Tamil family. He was the fourth son his parents. His father used to work in a factory as a groundsman. He received his education at Sugra Vilasi Sabha School, Khadki.
As a child, Dhanraj Pillay used to play hockey with his elder brother and friends with a broken hockey stick and a torn ball. He used to copy the style of his idol, aggressive dribbler Mohammad Shahid.
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| Dhanraj Pillay with his family members |
Beginning of hockey Career
His elder brother was a hockey player who used to play for RCF Club in the Mumbai League. Dhanraj Pillay moved to Mumbai to join his brother. His brother introduced him to Professional Hockey for the first time. He showed his class and capabilities in the first match, and was spotted by the sport veterans and Coaches in the first glance.
Dhanraj Pillay played in the Junior National Hockey Tournament which was held at Manipur at the age of 17. In 1987, he played the Sanjay Gandhi Tournament at Delhi. Dhanraj Pillay played his first National Tournament in 1988 at Delhi. For his lightning fast speed he became famous as Toofan in the hockey fraternity.
The famous hockey player and coach Joaquim Carvalho, invited him to join Mahindra & Mahindra team at Mumbai. He got the chance to play with the internationally renowned players like Marcellus Gomes and Mark Patterson at Mahindra and Mahindra.
International Career
In 1989, Dhanraj Pillay made his international hockey debut in Asia Cup Hockey tournament at Delhi. On 20th December 1989, he played his first International match against China. He is the only player to have played in four Olympics (1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004), four World Cups (1990, 1994, 1998, and 2002), four Champions Trophies (1995, 1996, 2002, and 2003), and four Asian Games (1990, 1994, 1998, and 2002).
Dhanraj Pillay also became the captain of the Indian National Hockey team and under his captaincy India won in Asian Games 1998 and Asia Cup Hockey 2003. In the Bangkok Asian Games, he was the highest goal scorer. During the 1994 World Cup at Sydney, he was the only Indian player to figure in the World Eleven side. In the career of 15 years, he played 339 games and scored around 170 goals. He played his last match in 2004 Athens Olympics.
Club Hockey
Apart from playing for the country, Dhanraj Pillay also played club hockey. He played for clubs like Indian Gymkhana, HC Lyon, BSN HC & Telekom Malaysia HC, Abahani Limited, HTC Stuttgart Kickers and Khalsa Sports Club. At the end of his career he played for the Maratha Warriors for two seasons in the Premier Hockey League. After that Dhanraj Pillay played in the World Series Hockey for Karnataka Lions. he also played for Indian Airlines in Beighton Cup.
Controversies
Dhanraj Pillay has often been a part of controversies. He used to express his displeasure against the hockey management. He was not selected with other six players in the Indian hockey team after the win at the Bangkok Asiad. The management had given the reason that he and other senior players have been given rest. But it is said that this happened because of his outburst against the management for improper reception and non-payment of match fees. Before the 1998 series against Pakistan, Dhanraj Pillay protested against the low team stipend on overseas tours.
Awards and Achievements
- For the Year 1999–2000, Dhanraj Pillay won The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna
- In 2001, he was awarded the Padma Shri
- In the 2002 Champions trophy, he was the player of the tournament
- East Bengal Club conferred Dhanraj Pillay with Bharat Gaurav award
- Dhanraj Pillay is currently involved in trying to start a hockey academy in Mumbai.
- In 2007, his biography, "Forgive Me Amma", written by journalist Sundeep Misra was released.
