Keepers of faith: Sreejesh & Pathak

AFTER India thwarted Spain on shootouts to win their Pro League encounter on Monday night, PR Sreejesh threw most of his gear into the Rourkela night sky. Even for a guy known for theatrics as much as for his excellent skills under the bar, the custodian had been in a rarified zone.

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN

During regulation time, he came up with the goods multiple times. In an unusually flawless shootout that followed after the hosts had drawn their opponents 2-2, the goalkeeper managed to deny Marc Miralles with the score at 8-7.

It once again highlighted the unique and sometimes understated genius that Sreejesh has brought to the shiny blue canvas for close to the last decade. Having made his debut at a time when the coaching techniques weren't the greatest, he had to unlearn most of what he had been taught as a kid. Since he became first-choice for the national team, it's been a story of constant evolution.