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Dhanraj Pillay

Dhanraj Pillay
Dhanraj Pillay01.png
Pillay in 2010
Personal information
Full name Dhanraj Pillay
Born (1968-07-16) 16 July 1968 (age 48)
Khadki, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Playing position Forward
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1993 Indian Gymkhana 78 (78)
1993 HC Lyon
1994–1997 Selangor HA 7 (8)
1997–1999 Abahani Ltd.
2000 HTC Stuttgart Kickers
2000–2001 Bank Simpanan Nasional HC
2002 Arthur Andersen HC
2002 Singapore Hockey Federation
2006–? Maratha Warriors
2012–? Karnataka Lions 6 (1)
National team
1989–2004 India 339 (170)

Dhanraj Pillay (born 16 July 1968) is a retired Indian field hockey player and former captain of the Indian national team.He currently serves as the manager of the team. Also, he is a member of the ad hoc committee of Indian Hockey Federation, formed after the suspension of Kanwar Pal Singh Gill. As a player, he is regarded one of India's best ever.

Pillay made his debut in 1989 with the national team and in a career spanning over 15 years, appeared for India in four Olympic Games, World Cups and Champion Trophies each. He made 339 appearances for the national team and is recorded, unofficially, to have scored 170 goals. He also played for clubs in countries such as Malaysia, France, England and Germany. Recognizing his achievements, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the government of India in 2000.

Dhanraj Pillay was born at Khadki near Pune in Maharashtra. He is the fourth son of Tamil parents Nagalingam Pillay and Andalamma. As a bachelor, he lived in Powai, Mumbai, while his parents continued to live in Khadki. He is fluent in Tamil ( his Mother tongue), Hindi, English and Marathi.

Pillay spent his youth in the Ordnance Factory staff colony where his father was a groundsman. Playing on the soft, muddy surface of the OFK ground with his brothers and friends from the colony, he learnt his skills with broken sticks and discarded hockey balls, imitating the style of legendary forward and idol, Mohammed Shahid. His mother, whom he gives all the credit for his success, encouraged all her five sons to play hockey despite leading a hand-to-mouth existence.


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Wikipedia

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