Lalit Kumar: The striker, who played with heart, bids adieu

Bengaluru: The shy guy. The wise guy. Always smiling and most emotional. Yet the least expressive guy.

These personality traits made Lalit Kumar Upadhyay the most endearing person among his peers.

But it was his calm aggression during every storm, on and off the field, that earned him respect and made him the integral part of the Indian men’s hockey team for over a decade.

A journey in the Indian jersey that lasted nearly 11 years -- studded with two Olympic bronze medals (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), Asian Games gold (Hangzhou 2022) and bronze (Jakarta 2018), Asian Champions Trophy gold (Oman 2018, Malaysia 2016) and bronze (Dhaka 2021) and Arjuna Award (2011) in his kitty -- will now come to an end as the 31-year-old Lalit announced his international retirement on Sunday evening.

“This journey began in a small village, with limited resources but limitless dreams. From facing a sting operation to standing on the Olympic podium - not once, but twice - it’s been a path full of challenges, growth and unforgettable pride,” wrote Lalit in his farewell post on Instagram.

Born in the village of Bhagatpur in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Lalit’s stellar career began on a rough note when, for no fault of his, the then 17-year-old became a needless victim of a controversial sting operation aimed at exposing corruption in Indian hockey in 2008. It was this early jolt that Lalit later said gave him the courage to fight for his dreams.

Inspired by fellow UP greats and yesteryear forwards Dhyan Chand and Mohammed Shahid, Lalit will also be remembered for his graceful stick-work and skillful circle penetrations and passes.

The striker played 183 matches for the senior team and made 67 goals with his final appearance coming in the 2-3 loss to Australia on June 15 in Antwerp, Belgium, at the just concluded FIH Pro League.

“Yes, you can call me one of the shy guys,” Lalit had said in an interaction with DH.

“I’m observant and a listener. But I’m not too expressive, both on the field or off it. My career has been quite tough. Coming from a humble background, the horrible experience of the sting operation which forced me to almost quit hockey, the injuries and doubts. All of it, maybe, made me quiet.

“And that’s why I express every emotion I feel through words. I write a lot of poetry. Not too many people know this about me,” Lalit had revealed.

While he wrote about all that life was teaching him through the sport and beyond, the attacker who played with his heart on the ‘frontline’ for his country, is what he will truly be missed for.

Because for “shayar” Lalit, hockey was poetry in motion.