Keeping faith: Experienced Pathak ready for challenges with Paris in mind

KRISHAN Pathak has great memories of playing in front of the packed Chennai crowd as they showed up in numbers for India's Asian Champions Trophy assignment before the Asian Games in Hangzhou. "It's good to be back in Chennai," the Indian goalkeeper, representing Punjab in the 13th Hockey India Senior Men's National Championship, told this daily.

-  KALYANI MANGALE

"I have good memories of playing in Chennai for the Asian Champions Trophy. The ACT was just before the Asian Games and many teams that we eventually played against in the continental tournament participated in the Chennai event as well. It was an ideal preparation and a confidence booster for us. The crowd in Chennai was like a 12th man for us during the ACT. They came supporting not just for us but for other teams as well," Pathak mentioned.

The goalkeeper with the experience of more than 100 internationals started his senior career alongside veteran PR Sreejesh in 2018. Pathak believes he has learned a lot from the former Indian captain. "I have been playing alongside him since 2018. It's great to share the field and dressing room with him as I get to learn a lot from him. I think a goalkeeper is required to have those leadership qualities in him to keep things under control and keep defense intact. I have learned a lot of things by observing him over the years. And he has undoubtedly helped me grow as a player," he added.