NEW DELHI: Two members of the Tokyo Olympic Bronze medal-winning hockey team- veteran drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh and ace defender  Birender Lakra on Thursday announced their retirement from the sport.

Rupinder and Birender who called time on their career with the National team were hailed by Hockey India for their outstanding contribution to the sport in the country.

Rupinder, who made his international debut in 2010, played a pivotal role in India's recent Bronze Medal-winning feat at the Tokyo Olympics. He scored four goals in the tournament and was the second-highest goal-scorer in the team.

Hi everyone, wanted to share an important announcement with you all. pic.twitter.com/CwLFQ0ZVvj

— Rupinder Pal Singh (@rupinderbob3) September 30, 2021

Lakra, who stood tall in the defence line at the quadrennial Games, also achieved the milestone of completing 200 Senior International Caps for the National team.

Fondly called 'Bob' by his teammates, Rupinder featured in India’s important feats in the past decade, which includes the Gold Medal at the 2014 Asian Games, 2016 Asian Champions Trophy triumph, 2015 Bronze Medal-winning FIH Hockey World League Final, and 2017 Bronze Medal-winning FIH Hockey World League Final.

2️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ Caps
1️⃣1️⃣9️⃣ Goals
???? Olympic Bronze Medallist

Indian Hockey Team Defender and one of the best drag-flickers of this generation draws curtains on an exceptional career. ????

Wishing you a Happy Retirement, Rupinder Pal Singh????#IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/kXsVoYlUql

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) September 30, 2021

His Illustrious career included scoring the most number of goals in the 2013 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup & 2016 Asian Champions Trophy. After a break in 2018-19, the lanky drag-flicker made a strong comeback in the 2020 Olympic Qualifiers and scored his first hat-trick since the 2018 Asian Games.

For over a decade Rupinder was a household name in Indian Hockey and his abilities to drag-flick made him very popular among fans globally. 

"We wish him the very best as he begins a new chapter in his personal and professional life," stated Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombam.

A product of SAIL Hockey Academy Rourkela, Lakra has represented India at the 2009 Youth Olympic Festival held in Sydney, the 2009 Junior World Cup, the 2010 SAAF Games in Dhaka, and the 2011 Champions Challenge tournament in South Africa.

2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣ Caps
???? Olympic Bronze Medallist

A solid defender and one of the most influential Indian Men's Hockey Team figures, the Odisha star has announced his retirement from the Indian national team.

Happy Retirement, Birendra Lakra. ????#IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/p8m8KkWDb4

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) September 30, 2021

Having progressed through the ranks of the junior team set-up, Lakra made his debut for the senior national team in the 2010 South Asian Games and has been part of the Country's various memorable moments such as the 2014 Asian Games glory, Bronze Medal feat in the World League Final 2015 in Raipur, Silver Medal-winning campaign at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and FIH Men’s Series Finals Bhubaneswar  2019 triumph as well.

In his long-serving career, the two-time Olympian has featured in almost all the major tournaments, including the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup in 2014 and 2018 respectively. 

However, he missed out on the Rio Olympics 2016 due to a knee injury and made a strong comeback to the Indian set-up by playing a pivotal role in the team's Gold Medal-winning feat at the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy.

“Birendra has for many years been an integral part of the Indian Team’s defence and he has given fans across the globe some very memorable performances. Hockey India wishes him the very best in his future endeavours" said Gyanendro Ningombam.