Dhanraj Pillay, a famous Indian international player, is associated with which sport?

Introduction / Context:
India has produced many legendary sportspersons, and questions often ask you to match a well known player with the sport in which they excelled. Dhanraj Pillay is one such figure, widely recognised for his contributions to Indian sport and his leadership on the international stage. This question checks whether you can correctly identify his sport from a list of popular disciplines.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The player mentioned is Dhanraj Pillay.
• We must choose the sport he is famous for representing at the international level.
• Options include cricket, hockey, golf, football and tennis.
• We assume standard historical sports knowledge as presented in GK books and news articles.

Concept / Approach:
Dhanraj Pillay is a legendary Indian field hockey player. He captained the national team, played in multiple Olympic Games, World Cups and Champions Trophy tournaments and is known for his speed and skill as a forward. Recognising his name and linking it to hockey rather than cricket or football is the key to answering correctly.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Read the name carefully: Dhanraj Pillay is a well known name in Indian sporting history. 2. Recall that he was a star forward and captain of the Indian men's field hockey team. 3. Compare this recollection with the options provided. 4. Note that hockey is the sport directly linked with his achievements and awards. 5. Select hockey as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verifying is straightforward: biographies, award citations for honours such as the Padma Shri and Arjuna Award, and sports histories clearly describe Dhanraj Pillay as an Indian field hockey player. Tournament records list his appearances and performance in hockey events, not in cricket, football, golf or tennis. These multiple confirmations make the association unambiguous.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Cricket: Many famous Indian players exist in this sport, but Dhanraj Pillay is not one of them.
• Golf: There is no major record of him competing professionally in golf.
• Football: Although India has footballers with strong reputations, his name is not among them.
• Tennis: He has no notable competitive history or titles in this sport.

Common Pitfalls:
A few learners may confuse names across sports, especially when they are not regular followers. Another mistake is assuming that any well known male Indian sportsperson must be a cricketer, given cricket's popularity. To avoid this, try to remember at least one key achievement, such as Dhanraj Pillay leading India in major hockey tournaments, which clearly ties him to hockey.

Final Answer:
Dhanraj Pillay is associated with the sport of hockey.