Hockey India celebrated Krishnan B. Pathak, the goalkeeper for the Indian men’s hockey team, on reaching 150 international matches. This achievement occurred during the Hero Men’s Asia Cup Rajgir 2025 match between India and Japan at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar. Pathak, a native of Kapurthala, Punjab, has been a key player for the national team.
India had previously secured a thrilling 4-3 victory against China, with Captain Harmanpreet Singh scoring a hat-trick and Jugraj Singh contributing a goal. The team is aiming to build on this positive start.
Dr. Dilip Tirkey, Hockey India’s President, congratulated Pathak, emphasizing his importance to Indian hockey in recent years. He noted the demanding nature of the goalkeeping position and Pathak’s consistent performance on significant platforms. Tirkey cited Pathak’s journey from the 2016 Junior World Cup to becoming the first-choice goalkeeper as an inspiration to younger players, offering his best wishes for Pathak’s future.
Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India, expressed the organization’s pride in Pathak’s achievements, highlighting his dedication and passion. He noted that Pathak’s performances have greatly contributed to India’s recent successes and that he serves as an example to emerging players. Singh views the 150-match milestone as proof of Pathak’s contribution to Indian hockey.
Krishnan B. Pathak expressed his gratitude for the milestone, describing it as a special moment for himself and his family. He reflected on the dream of representing India, which began with his hockey journey in Kapurthala. Pathak acknowledged the significance of the milestone, especially during the current tournament, and thanked his coaches, teammates, and Hockey India for their support. He is focused on contributing to team success and inspiring the next generation of Indian goalkeepers.
Pathak is known for his agility and reliability in the goal. He rose to prominence by being part of the Indian junior team that clinched the gold medal at the FIH Junior World Cup in Lucknow in 2016. He debuted with the senior team in a Four-Nations tournament against Japan in January 2018, quickly cementing his place. He has been involved in significant victories, including the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy, the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games gold, and the 2023 and 2024 Asian Champions Trophy titles.
During the FIH Men’s Hockey Pro League seasons of 2020/21 and 2021/22, Pathak was a key element in India’s defense, with his remarkable saves leading India to podium finishes. He also participated in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, where the Indian team won a silver medal, and the FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023. Since the retirement of PR Sreejesh after the Paris 2024 Olympics, Pathak has been India’s primary goalkeeper.