Dhanraj Pillay Biography

Dhanraj Pillay is the former captain of the Indian hockey team, Dhanraj Pillay was born on July 16, 1968 at Kirkee in Maharashtra. His brother, Ramesh Pillay had also represented India at the international level. He made his international debut in 1989 when he represented the nation at the Allwyn Asia Cup in New Delhi in 1989.

He was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award for 1999-2000, besides the Padma Shri in 2000. The only Indian to play in four Summer Olympics, four World Hockey Cups and four Champions Trophies, he led the team to the Asian Games gold title in 2002. He plays for the Maratha Warriors in the Premier Hockey League.

In the domestic circuit, he has played for teams like Indian Airlines, Mahindra & Mahindra, City Mumbai. He has represented India in many international fixtures apart from the Asian and Olympic Games. In 1994, he was selected for the World XI team. In addition, he has played for many foreign clubs like Indian Gymkhana, London, FC Lyon, France, Selangor Kuala Lumpur, Abhahani Ltd. Dhaka, Stuttgart Kickers, Stuttgart Bank, Simpanan Nasional, Kuala Lumpur, Arthur Andersen Kuala Lumpur, Ernst and Young, Kuala Lumpur and many other notable clubs.