Veteran Indian hockey forward Lalit Upadhyay has announced his retirement from international hockey at the age of 31, concluding a decorated career spanning over a decade.

Known for his speed, skill, and consistency, Lalit played a key role in India’s Olympic bronze medal wins in Tokyo (2020) and Paris (2024) and now plans to focus on grassroots hockey development in Varanasi.

Key Highlights:

• Lalit Upadhyay announced his retirement from international hockey after a career that included 179 international caps and 41 goals.
• He was part of the Indian teams that won Olympic bronze medals in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, marking him as one of India’s most successful forwards.
• A native of Bhagatpur village in Varanasi, Lalit was only the second player from Uttar Pradesh to play in three World Cups.
• He stated his decision was inspired by sports legends like Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, choosing to step aside while at his peak to nurture young talent.
• Lalit will continue playing for UP Police in domestic tournaments and serve as a Deputy Superintendent of Police, while helping promote hockey using new synthetic turf facilities in his hometown.