Dhanraj Pillay is a former Indian field hockey player. The Government of India has honoured him with prestigious awards like Arjuna Award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, and Padmashri.
Dhanraj Pillay is a former Indian field hockey player. He was born on 16 July 1968 in Maharashtra. His zodiac sign is Cancer. He did his schooling from SVS High School, Khadki, Maharashtra. His father’s name is Nagalingam Pillay, and his mother’s name is Andalamma.
Dhanraj Pillay’s favourites
His favourite hockey players are Ramesh Pillay, Mohammad Shahid, and Zafar Iqbal.
His favourite Indian players are Saina Nehwal, MS Dhoni, and Vishwanath Anand.
Interesting facts about Dhanraj Pillay
Dhanraj Pillay was born in a middle-class family. His father used to work as a groundsman in the Ordnance Factory Staff Colony.
Dhanraj Pillay’s older brother Ramesh Pillay is a former hockey player. He played for RCF in the Mumbai League.
His brother encouraged him to become a professional hockey player. He made his debut as a professional player as an excellent striker.
At the young age of 17, he played in the Junior National Hockey Tournament held in Manipur.
In the year 1988, he made his debut in National Hockey Tournament which was held in Delhi.
Dhanraj Pillay’s international career
In 1989, he participated in the Allwyn Asia Cup hockey tournament held in New Delhi. He played his first international match against China on 20 December 1989.
Dhanraj Pillay is the only Indian hockey player who has competed in four Olympic Games that is in the years 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004. He has also represented India in four World Cup tournaments (1990,1994, 1998, 2003), four Champions Trophy Tournaments (1995, 1996, 2002, 2003), and four Asian Games (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002).
Under Dhanraj Pillay’s captaincy, the Indian hockey team won the Asian Games in the year 1998.
Awards and records
The Government of India has honoured Dhanraj Pillay with prestigious awards like Arjuna Award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, and Padmashri.
In the year 2017, Dhanraj Pillay received the Bharat Gaurav Award by East Bengal Club.
He was the only player to be included in the World XI team for the 1994 World Cup.
From 1989 to 2004, Dhanraj Pillay played in 339 matches and scored 170 goals.
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