New year will bring new hope for Indian women's hockey: Drag-flicker Deepika

New Delhi, December 28 (PTI) After a challenging year marked by injuries, inconsistent performances and missed opportunities, Indian women's hockey drag-flicker Deepika Sehrawat is confident the new season will bring renewed hope and momentum for the national team.

The 22-year-old forward, who is set to return to action for Delhi SG Pipers in the Women's Hockey India League (WHIL) after a five-month injury layoff, said the past year had been difficult for the national side.

"Many things will change in the new year. The World Cup qualification will be our first challenge, and then there are the Asian Games,” Deepika told PTI Bhasha.

She was ruled out of the Asia Cup in August after slipping during a practice session before the team's departure, a setback she described as one of the toughest phases of her career.

"The five months away from hockey were very difficult. I used to get angry and cry, wondering why I was out of the team. My preparation was very good. Now that I am fit, I don't want to leave any stone unturned," said the Hockey India's Best Emerging Player award winner for 2025.

The national team endured a disappointing season, finishing last in the FIH Pro League and getting relegated to the second-tier Nations Cup. It also missed out on direct qualification for the World Cup after losing to China in the Asia Cup final.

Closer to the end of the year, the side was caught in turmoil when head coach Harendra Singh had to resign following allegations that his coaching style was "outdated and dictatorial".

India will now have to secure their place through the World Cup qualifiers in Hyderabad in March, where England, Scotland, Korea, Italy, Uruguay, Wales and Austria will also compete. The top-three teams will qualify for the tournament to be hosted by Belgium and Netherlands in August.

"We have to show that the Indian team is second to none. We need to bring back the momentum that women's hockey gained after finishing fourth at the Tokyo Olympics," Deepika said.

Deepika, who made her senior team debut in 2022 during the Pro League in Bhubaneswar, believes that repeated mistakes and lack of communication hurt the team last year.

"We should have focused more on correcting recurring mistakes. The same errors that led to our exit from the Pro League were repeated in the Asia Cup. Better communication within the team was also needed," she added.

She also emphasised the importance of mental fitness, crediting her HIL franchise for supporting her comeback.

"If a player is mentally relaxed, physical fitness comes naturally. When we are happy, our performance improves. I wanted to make my comeback through the HIL, and after the national camp ended, the franchise arranged a 15-day camp for me in Jaipur and showed faith in me. That helped me return fit," she said.

Deepika stayed alone in Jaipur for the rehab, took a gym membership and trained at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

Deepika said she had resumed drag-flicking and feels physically stronger than before.

"There have been many changes in our team in the league, but there is very good coordination. We learn a lot from foreign players. Hopefully, our performance will be better this year," said the Rohtak-born player.

Coming from a family of wrestlers, Deepika revealed that her father initially wanted her to follow the family tradition, but her heart was always set on hockey.

"I used to go for wrestling practice, but there was a hockey field on the way and I was drawn to it. My family wanted me to choose wrestling, but I chose hockey. Now I want to prove my decision was right," she said. PTI MJ AM AM AM