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Dhanraj Pillay, ace Indian striker, was born on July 16, 1968 at Kirkee in Maharashtra. The hero of many epic Indian victories, the mercurial Dhanraj has been to Indian hockey what Leander Paes has been to Indian tennis.
Dhanraj fine-tuned his raw talent under the tutelage of elder brother Ramesh, who himself was a former India international. After a fine stint with his employers Mahindra & Mahindra and Mumbai in national championships, Dhanraj was called for India duty in the Asia Cup of 1989.
In a glorious career spanning 15 years, Dhanraj has represented India in four Summer Olympics ('92, '96, 2000, 2004), four World Hockey Cups, four Champions Trophies, four Asian Games, and four Asia Cups. For a long time, Dhanraj has been synonymous with Indian hockey and his spirited efforts have kept the Indian tricolour flying high in more occasions than one.
Dhanraj was the highest goal scorer in the Bangkok Asian Games and was the only Indian player to figure in the World Eleven side during the 1994 World Cup at Sydney.
The nation has profusely rewarded Dhanraj Pillay for his relentless pursuit for excellence and his unflinching commitment to the Indian cause. He has received the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (1999) and been conferred with the coveted Padma Shri in 2000.
