Dhanraj Pillay, long-haired, wild-eyed, not very tall, is the world`s most identifiable hockey player as he is the highest Indian goal scorer. It is a little unmanageable to elude him. Dhanraj is regarded as a creator of opportunities rather than a goal scorer. He is a man who used to attract the defenders to his side and free the rest of the forwards. It has been seen that there are always at least two defense players in the field marking him. But he runs 100 m in a very adequate record time of 11.6 seconds before defenders can even think of a move.

The early life of Dhanraj Pillay can easily be described as an example of how the talented people always make their way out in spite of their struggling background. Dhanraj was born on 15th July, 1968 in Khadki in a family that was suffering from financial crisis. In spite of that financial shakiness, the youngest member of the family, Dhanraj successfully went forward towards fulfilling his dream of becoming a legendary Hockey player. After making his international Hockey debut in the year 1989, Dhanraj Pillay got the first major break in the World Cup, Sydney, 1994. Dhanraj Pillay during World Cup, Sydney, 1994, was a newcomer in the Indian national team and he made some waves in the international circuit with his wonderful speed. The Indian Hockey enthusiasts then saw Dhanraj Pillay in the SAF Games, Chennai, 1995. The tournament saw Pillay becoming a hero in India, as he played extraordinary Hockey throughout the tournament, especially in the Final against Pakistan. Then India saw Dhanraj Pillay in the Olympic Qualifier, Barcelona, 1995, where his brilliant play helped India to secure a berth in the Olympics.

Dhanraj Pillay in Atlanta Olympics, 1996 was not at his best and India also had a disastrous campaign in the tournament. The Indians then saw Dhanraj Pillay in World Cup, Utrecht, 1998 and the tournament is considered as one of the worst tournament in Dhanraj Pillay`s career. He came out of his miserable form very soon and Dhanraj Pillay during Commonwealth Games, Kuala Lumpur, 1998, was a completely different player. Playing after recovering from a heel injury, he showed some brilliant performances in the tournament. Watching Dhanraj Pillay during Asian Games, Bangkok, 1998 was another treat to the Indian Hockey enthusiasts. It was the supreme and utterly brilliant form of the Indian captain, Dhanraj Pillay that helped India to clinch the gold medal in the tournament. Then, Indians saw Dhanraj Pillay in Asia Cup, Kuala Lumpur, 1999, where he helped India winning the bronze medal. The Indian Hockey enthusiasts again became quite happy while watching Dhanraj Pillay in Azlan Shah Cup, Kuala Lumpur, 2000. Dhanraj Pillay`s wonderful contributions made it easy for India to win the bronze medal in the tournament.

Almost all the powerful teams in the world did pay special attention to Dhanraj Pillay in Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000, as he had the ability to turn a match in India`s favour on his own. Dhanraj Pillay once again played brilliantly in the tournament, though India failed to get a good result. The Indian people became happy once again after watching Dhanraj Pillay during Champions Trophy, 2002. Dhanraj Pillay won the "Player of the Champions Trophy" award in the tournament. Then, the Indians saw Dhanraj Pillay in Asian Games, Busan, 2002, where India became the runner-up, thanks to some magical performances by Dhanraj Pillay. The teams once again paid extra attention to Dhanraj Pillay in World Cup, Kuala Lumpur, 2002, because of his special talent. Watching Dhanraj Pillay in Champions Trophy, Amsterdam, 2003 was another treat for the Indians, as Dhanraj Pillay played superbly in this tournament, also. Then, Indian people celebrate again when they saw Dhanraj Pillay in Asia Cup, Kuala Lumpur, 2003. The Indian team won the tournament, under the captaincy of Dhanraj Pillay. The Indian Hockey enthusiasts watched Dhanraj Pillay in Athens Olympic, 2004, for the last time in any international tournament. India once again failed to yield a good result from the tournament, in spite of Dhanraj Pillay`s wonderful performance. The track records of Dhanraj Pillay undoubtedly ensure one thing that, he is the fittest player in the history of Indian Hockey. His long career span of more than 17 years has made him one of the greatest Hockey players of India.

Dhanraj Pillay is contemplated as one of the most talented forwards of his era. He was attributed with a small frame and sleek locks; he could make for havoc in rival defences. Dhanraj Pillay was the succeeding captain of the triumphant Asian Games 2002 hockey team. In the 2002 Champions trophy, held at Cologne, Germany, Dhanraj Pillay was conferred the "Player of the Tournament" award. Presently Pillay is involved in trying to start a hockey academy at Bombay. A biography on Dhanraj Pillay titled "Forgive me Amma (Mother)" has also been released.