Krishan Pathak: From Orphanage to Icon - Indian Hockey Star Achieves 150 Caps at Asia Cup 2025

Indian men’s hockey goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak reached a remarkable milestone on Sunday, completing 150 international caps during India’s second match of the Hero Men’s Asia Cup 2025 against Japan at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar. Hockey India congratulated the 28-year-old on this achievement, which highlights his consistency and longevity between the posts.Hailing from Kapurthala, Punjab, Pathak first gained attention as part of India’s gold-winning junior squad at the FIH Junior World Cup 2016 in Lucknow. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Orphaned at a young age, he lost his mother at 12 and his father just months before representing India in the 2016 Junior World Cup. Growing up in difficult circumstances, he found stability and purpose in hockey, training at the Surjit Hockey Academy in Jalandhar from age 12."Kahaan se shuru karun, abhi tak to puri life uncertain hi rahi hai (My life has been uncertain so far). I am an orphan now. I have no one waiting for me at home. I am not sure if I have a place, which I can call home. I have suffered so many setbacks in my life; had it not been for hockey, I may have landed in the clutches of drugs," Krishan told TOI back in 2018."That said, I am living my dream and I am playing hockey for the country. And, that's the only thing that gives me satisfaction."Despite financial struggles and personal loss, Pathak’s determination has seen him rise to the pinnacle of Indian hockey.He made his senior debut against Japan in January 2018 at the Four-Nations Tournament and quickly became a mainstay in the team. Over the years, Pathak has been integral to India’s successes, including the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy, the 2022 Asian Games gold in Hangzhou, and back-to-back Asian Champions Trophy victories in 2023 and 2024.Pathak’s individual brilliance has been widely recognised. He has twice received the Hockey India Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year (2019, 2022) and was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 2024. He also played crucial roles in India’s podium finishes in the FIH Pro League seasons 2020/21 and 2021/22, as well as the 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medal campaign. Following PR Sreejesh’s retirement after Paris 2024, Pathak has established himself as India’s first-choice goalkeeper.And now, his 150th cap is not just a number; it is a testament to his talent, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to Indian hockey.