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Deepika Sehrawat returned from a major hamstring injury to star in India’s FIH Nations Cup triumph recently.
Deepika Sehrawat was among the Nations Cup’s leading scorers. (PTI Photo)
After months of frustration, tears and uncertainty during a lengthy rehabilitation process, Indian women hockey team’s drag-flicker Deepika Sehrawat marked her return to international hockey in emphatic fashion, emerging as one of the architects of the side’s FIH Nations Cup triumph in New Zealand.
The 22-year-old, who missed last year’s Asia Cup after suffering a Grade III hamstring tear, made an impressive comeback by finishing as the joint-highest scorer at the Nations Cup with six goals, alongside American Ashley Sessa.
For Deepika, however, the biggest victory was simply being back on the field.
“Nations Cup was my first tournament after rehab and regaining full fitness. It had been a long time since I had played at this level, so I was a little nervous in the beginning. But it turned out to be a good tournament, and this performance has given me a lot of confidence after returning from injury,” Deepika told news agency PTI Bhasha.
The forward said the injury layoff was among the most difficult periods of her career, testing her mental strength as much as her physical resilience.
“The time away from hockey was very difficult. I would get angry and cry, wondering why I was out of the team. While the team was touring Argentina and Australia, I was still in rehab. It was only at the Nations Cup that I truly felt I had returned,” said Deepika, Hockey India‘s best emerging player for 2025.
At one stage, the severity of the injury left her unsure about when she would be able to return to competitive hockey.
She credited the coaching staff for their contribution during her rehab.
“Last year, the injury was so serious that I wasn’t sure when I would return. The credit for my comeback goes to coach Sjoerd (Marijne), Wayne, trainer Ciara and Rodet, who worked tirelessly on my rehabilitation,” she said.
“Their support gave me confidence throughout the recovery process. Coach Sjoerd has built this team in a short period. It wasn’t easy, but he has worked very hard and the players have fully backed him. The coaching staff deserves a lot of credit,” she added.
Deepika’s form comes at a crucial time for Indiawith the World Cup and Asian Games looming on the horizon.
The Nations Cup has helped restore India’s confidence, helping them secure promotion back to the FIH Pro League after relegation last season.
“It was very important for us to win this tournament because playing in the Pro League gives us the opportunity to compete regularly against the top teams. That helps us understand where we stand and what we need to improve. We went there with the intention of winning and the feeling of lifting the trophy is very special,” she said.
Deepika also credited a specialised drag-flick camp conducted by Dutch great Taeke Taekema for sharpening her game ahead of the tournament.
“The drag-flick camp with him was a great experience. We not only worked on drag flicks but also analysed videos of opposition teams, studying the movements of first rushers and goalkeepers. That helped me understand where to place my shots,” she said.
She said one of the key takeaways from the camp was learning to trust her instincts under pressure.
“I was told not to put too much pressure on myself and to trust my skills. Even if we were trailing, I was encouraged to take drag flicks with confidence. That approach helped me a lot.”
Deepika attributed her prolific show at the Nations Cup to the collective effort of the team.
“As a striker and drag-flicker, it is my responsibility to score goals. But without the team’s support it wouldn’t have been possible because I can only showcase my skills when the team earns penalty corners. The team backed me completely,” she said.
With India returning to the Pro League and expectations rising ahead of two major events, Deepika said the team is determined to build on the momentum generated by the Nations Cup success.
“We have returned to the Pro League through the Nations Cup, so expectations are naturally high. We are ready to live up to those expectations and deliver strong performances in the World Cup and Asian Games,” she said.
About the Author
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
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