"Sreejesh and I have very different personalities" - Suraj Karkera comfortable in his zone ahead of Hockey Asian Champions Trophy

Suraj Karkera's persistence has finally yielded results courtesy of a well-deserved place in the Indian men's hockey side. They will seek to defend their title at the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy.

The 28-year-old who waited patiently on the sidelines after having made his debut in 2017 is now set to cement his place in the team following the retirement of veteran custodian PR Sreejesh.

Despite having learnt a great deal from the former captain, the goalkeeper from Mumbai stressed that his personality is very different from Sreejesh's and mimicking the legend is not something that he intends to do.

Suraj Karkera told Sportskeeda during an exclusive interaction that he prefers to remain calm in front of the goal in stark contrast to Sreejesh who thrived on being vocal and flamboyant on the hockey pitch.

"Sreejesh was like an extrovert, he likes to speak a lot. So, that's his personality. But, you know, we (Krishan Pathak and I) have our kind of game, we have our personality," Suraj stated. "I don't want to mimic a thing because then we will lose our own thing."

"So, yes, we take in the skills and we learn from him and what he does. But you know, we have a personality of our own. Sreejesh and I have very different personalities. Our personality reflects in our patience . And, you know, it's about staying calm" he asserted.

Suraj explained that Sreejesh was comfortable with the kind of communication he indulged in while yelling out instructions to defenders and reprimanding them when required. Calmness, however, takes precedence when Suraj guards his goal and the Services Sports Control Board player maintains that he remains comfortable in his zone.

"Sreejesh prefers speaking a lot. And I think that's what makes him comfortable. And we are comfortable in our zone. We are confident in communicating less. But, you know, at the end, it's all about saving the goal," he reasoned.

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"I hope to fulfil my hockey journey well and carry my head high" - Suraj Karkera weighs in on his struggles and successes

Suraj was part of the bronze-medal-winning team at the 2022 Asia Cup - Source: SurajKarkera/Meta

Suraj Karkera, who was part of the Indian side at the 2018 Azlan Shah Cup and the Commonwealth Games, was not picked for several big tournaments that followed including the Asian Games and the FIH Hockey World Cup.

He did, however, make his mark on the international stage by performing commendably at the 2022 Hero Asia Cup, which witnessed a young and inexperienced Indian side win the bronze medal in Jakarta.

Suraj made it to the Indian team that travelled to Spain for the Five-Nations tournament in Valencia last year. He now describes the "special feeling" of returning to international action after being selected for the Asian Champions Trophy which will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network in India.

"It's a special feeling. It's been a long wait for me. Every time you get selected for the team, it's always special, may it be any tournament. It's a big opportunity for me also. I'm excited to play and perform well there," Suraj Karkera said.

"After a long time, I am playing an international tournament. It will be a challenge to prove myself. Because, you know, the coach has entrusted me with this position. So, of course, I am motivated and I hope I do well there. We have had a good camp here for a month before the Asian Champions Trophy," he added.

Despite being in and out of the team for several years now, Suraj has never been short of motivation since he views his hockey journey as different and distinct from the others while choosing to carry his head high.

"Whatever recognition we have, it's because of the sport of hockey. Everything we have got, we have got through hockey. So, I think there is no reason to get demotivated or stay away from the game. Of course, you feel sad when you are not part of the team. But, in the end, you know, as an athlete, you have your own journey," he declared philosophically.

"Everyone does not have the same journey. You have your own hurdles. So, this has been my journey. I hope to fulfil my journey well and carry my head high. I have been always motivated because I have been part of two Olympic cycles where the team performed well and won the bronze medal," said Suraj with an unmistakable sense of pride and conviction.

The six-nation Asian Champions Trophy hockey event featuring defending champions South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan and hosts China begins on September 8.