After stalwarts Rupinder Pal Singh and Birendra Lakra called it quits from the Indian hockey squad, SV Sunil has also decided to hang his boots. SV Sunil played as a striker for the team and had a 14-year career. The veteran appeared in 264 games and nailed 72 goals for the national outfit.
More than 14 years after I wore India colours for the first time, I have decided to make myself unavailable for the national camp which begins next week. It was not the easiest decision to make, but it was not the toughest either, given that I did not make it to the team for the Tokyo Games. The omission put a question mark on my future as a player, in the 11-a-side format. With the 2024 Paris Olympics three years away, I think, as a senior player it is important that I make way for youngsters and help in building a winning team for the future.
SV Sunil, former Indian striker