New Delhi: Veteran Indian hockey forward Lalit Upadhyay has called time on his illustrious international career, drawing curtains on over a decade-long journey that saw him be a part of the teams that won bronze medals in the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games.
From making his debut at the 2014 World Cup to standing tall on the Olympic podium twice, Lalit’s career is a timeline of some of Indian hockey’s biggest milestones in the modern era.
He was a crucial part of the squad that scripted history at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, helping India clinch a long-awaited bronze medal, and repeated the feat at the Paris Games in 2024, reinforcing his reputation as a big-match player.
The 31-year-old double Olympic medallist took to social media to reveal his decision to the masses.
“Today, I announce my retirement from international hockey. It’s a tough moment, but one every athlete must face one day. It has been the greatest honour and pride of my life to represent our country. Thank you for everything,” wrote Lalit from his official X handle.
Hailing from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Lalit, who made his debut for India in 2014, eventually emerged as one of India’s most accomplished field hockey players.
Despite an early setback in 2008—when a sting operation wrongly implicated him in corruption—Lalit was undeterred. With support from coach Paramanand Mishra and former captain Dhanraj Pillay (who secured him a place with Air India), Upadhyay overcame the crisis by rebuilding his career through sheer skill and determination.
A key figure in India’s international pursuits, he helped the team clinch gold at the 2016 and 2018 Asian Champions Trophies, and the 2017 Asia Cup, where he scored four goals. He also contributed to medals in the 2017 World League Final (bronze) and the 2018 Champions Trophy (silver).
Upadhyay has amassed an impressive 179+ caps and over 40 goals across a decade-long national career.
On the Olympic stage, Lalit played a pivotal role in India’s historic bronze-medal wins at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024—marking back-to-back Olympic podium finishes after a 52-year gap.
In recognition of his achievements, Lalit received the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2021. Off the field, he has served as a Deputy Superintendent of Police with the Uttar Pradesh Police since 2022.
