India, Aug. 13 -- For a year, the hockey pitch was a place of quiet frustration for Deepika Sehrawat. On August 29, 2025, just before the Asia Cup in Hangzhou, a severe hamstring injury brought her career to an abrupt halt.

What followed was a long period of recurring pain and rehabilitation. Yet, when she finally stepped back onto the turf in Auckland for the Indian women's hockey team, the doubts evaporated.

By the time the FIH Nations Cup concluded, Deepika had not only announced her return but dominated the tournament, finishing as the joint-top scorer with six crucial goals to help India win and earn a promotion back to the Pro League.

Deepika's journey back was anything but straightforward. Following the initial injury, her eager...