Profile: Bharat Chetri

Bharat Chetri's Profile

Sport: Hockey
Age: 31
Position: Goalkeeper

About Bharat Chetri:

A stoic goalkeeper who has guarded the Indian net for a considerable period of time, Chetri will lead the Indian team in the Olympics.

A capable custodian for the country, Chetri took to the sport at an early age. His father was an army personnel and Chetri received his initial training at the Danapur Army School. Born in Kalimpong, Chetri showed good signs that hinted he could make big in the sport.

He went on to join Sports Authority of India's Centre of Excellence in Bangalore (1998) from where his professional career took flight.

While his career in the junior level was impressive (was adjudged as the best goalkeeper of the 1997 Junior Nationals), his senior debut came in 2001 when he played in the Dhaka Prime Minister Gold Cup.

He was appointed vice-captain of the team in the 2001 World Cup in Hobart and continued with his brilliant showing. He however did hit an iffy patch and found himself in and out of the team in the ensuing years.

2005 was the year that uplifted both his game and his fortune when he was recalled for the Mini World Cup. He displayed sizzling form in the Champions Trophy, held in Chennai in the same year.

Appointed as the skipper to the Indian team in the Olympics, this Services player has come a fair distance from mostly stellar performances to hitting rough patches that kept him out although temporarily. He, in London, will find himself with a golden opportunity to stamp his class and ability to marshal a team.

Bharat Chetri's career highlights:

# Best goalkeeper of the 1997 Junior Nationals
# Skipper of India in the 2012 Azlan Shah Tournament