V. R. Raghunath

{{Infobox field hockey player

| name = V. R. Raghunath

| image =

| image_size = 239x240px

| fullname = Vokkaliga Ramachandra Raghunath

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|11|1|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Hathur, Kodagu, Karnataka, India

| nickname =

| position = Fullback

| height = {{convert|177|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}

| clubs1 = IOCL

| years1 = –present

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| clubs2 = Uttar Pradesh Wizards

| years2 = 2013–present

| caps2 =

| goals2 = 25

| nationalteam1 = India

| nationalyears1 = 2005–2017

| nationalcaps1 = 228

| nationalgoals1 = 132

|medaltemplates-expand=yes

|medaltemplates={{MedalSport | Men's Field Hockey}}

{{MedalCountry | {{IND}} }}

}}

Vokkaliga Ramachandra Raghunath (born 1 November 1988){{Cite web|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/know-indian-olympian-10-things-142700213.html |title=Know Your Indian Olympian: 10 things to know about V.R. Raghunath |website=in.news.yahoo.com |date=2016-07-08}} is a former Indian professional field hockey player.{{cite news|title=Don't have plans of making comeback, no regrets about leaving Indian team: VR Raghunath|url=https://scroll.in/field/861672/dont-have-plans-of-making-comeback-no-regrets-about-leaving-indian-team-vr-raghunath|access-date=16 March 2018|work=scroll.in|date=16 December 2017}} He played as a fullback and was known for his abilities as a drag flicker.{{cite news |title= Drag-flicker Raghunath confident of India return |url= http://www.deccanherald.com/content/169838/drag-flicker-raghunath-confident-india.html |newspaper= Deccan Herald |date= 18 June 2011 |access-date= 8 September 2013}}

Early life

Raghunath was born on 1 November 1988 to a former Indian field hockey player V. S. Ramachandra{{cite web |title= Hockey: Drag-flicker Raghunath's Olympic dream is reborn |url= http://news.oneindia.in/2012/03/03/hockey-drag-flicker-raghunaths-olympic-dream-is-reborn.html |work= Oneindia |date= 3 March 2012 |access-date= 22 August 2013}} and Doddamane Bojamma along with his two sisters, Niveditha Sanketh and Kavana Yatheesh.

Career

Raghunath made his debut for India in the sub-junior side in the 2003 sub-junior Asia Cup in Dhaka that India won. He made his senior debut in the national side during the bi-lateral series in 2005 against Pakistan, as a replacement to an injured Sandeep Singh.{{cite web |title= VR Raghunath: An ambitious trier and an eternal learner |url= http://www.stick2hockey.com/Article/VR-Raghunath--Ambitious-trier-eternal-learner--/10195.html |website=Stick2hockey |access-date= 8 September 2013}} He was a part of the Indian team that won bronze in the 2007 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, silver in 2008, gold in the 2007 Asia Cup and silver in 2013. Having scored six goals in the 2013 Asia Cup, Raghunath was awarded the 'Best Player of the Tournament'.{{cite web |title= S. Korea wins record fourth Asia Cup title |url= http://asiahockey.asia/asiahockey/index.php/75-s-korea-wins-record-fourth-asia-cup-title |publisher= Asia Hockey |access-date= 8 September 2013}}

=Hockey India League=

In the auction of the inaugural Hockey India League, Raghunath was bought by the Uttar Pradesh franchise for US$76,000{{cite news |title=Sardar Singh, VR Raghunath stars of HIL auctions |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/hockey-india-league/top-stories/Sardar-Singh-VR-Raghunath-stars-of-HIL-auctions/articleshow/17636577.cms? |newspaper= The Times of India |date= 2012-12-16 |access-date= 2013-01-14}} with his base price being US$13,900. The team was named Uttar Pradesh Wizards. He captained the team to a third-place finish in the inaugural season.{{cite news |title= Brilliant Raghunath single-handedly claims 3rd spot for Uttar Pradesh Wizards |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/hockey-india-league/top-stories/Brilliant-Raghunath-single-handedly-claims-3rd-spot-for-Uttar-Pradesh-Wizards/articleshow/18433518.cms |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130908091430/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-10/top-stories/37020950_1_uttar-pradesh-wizards-corner-penalty |url-status= live |archive-date= 8 September 2013 |date= 10 February 2013 |newspaper= The Times of India |access-date= 8 September 2013}} He ended the first season having scored 9 goals in 14 games and the second season scoring 8 goals in 12 games.