Nilakanta Sharma Announces Retirement After Stellar Hockey Career
Nilakanta Sharma Bids Farewell to International Hockey
After an impressive career spanning nine years and 163 international appearances, 31-year-old Nilakanta Sharma has announced his retirement from professional hockey. This decision was revealed following India's commanding 13-0 victory over Bangladesh in the opening match of the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) held at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium on Tuesday evening. The midfielder from Manipur confirmed that the ongoing ACT would mark his final participation with the national team.
In a heartfelt farewell gesture, his teammates celebrated his achievements by lifting him into the air three times.
Sharma's retirement had been anticipated, as he was the first of four senior players under consideration for a smooth transition ahead of preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The other players in this discussion include Mandeep Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, and Amit Rohidas, all of whom have had significant tenures with the Indian team. Notably, Sharma was part of the squad that secured a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics and contributed to gold medal victories at the 2022 and 2026 Asian Games.
Originating from Kontha Ahallup in Manipur’s Imphal East district, Sharma rose through the ranks to represent India at the highest level.
He shared, “I spoke with the coach about my retirement during the recent Asian Games. I expressed my desire to retire after the next tournament, feeling it was the right moment. I requested to say goodbye after the ACT in Punjab, and he agreed, provided we won gold in Nagoya and qualified for the 2028 Olympics. Had we not secured gold, I doubt I would be playing here today.” Sharma now looks forward to training young athletes in Manipur, having received a job offer from the Manipur Sports Department following India's bronze medal achievement at the Tokyo Olympics.
Sharma first gained recognition in junior hockey, clinching the 2015 Junior Asia Cup and playing a pivotal role in India's victory at the 2016 FIH Men’s Junior World Cup in Lucknow. He made his senior international debut against Belgium in 2017 and quickly established himself as a reliable midfielder. In 2018, he was part of the Indian team that won the Asian Champions Trophy, sharing the title with Pakistan, and also contributed to the team’s success at the FIH Men’s Series Finals in Bhubaneswar in 2019.
At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, he was instrumental in helping India secure a bronze medal, ending a 41-year drought for an Olympic hockey medal. He also represented India in the 2018, 2023, and 2026 Men’s Hockey World Cups and earned a silver medal at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Reflecting on his career, Sharma stated, “Winning the Olympic bronze was a highlight, but I feel incredibly lucky to have played in the last two matches at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan and to have won another gold medal after Raj Kumar Pal's injury led to my inclusion in the squad. I am content with my decision to retire on my own terms, which is something every player aspires to. I’ve seen many players who continue too long and then face abrupt endings, which is never a pleasant experience, and I wanted to avoid that.”
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh remarked, “Nilakanta Sharma has been an invaluable asset to Indian hockey, and his contributions over the years will always be cherished. His dedication, hard work, and understanding of the game have significantly contributed to India's success on the international stage. On behalf of Hockey India, we thank him for his service and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”