NEW DELHI, Oct. 15 -- The Indian women's hockey team sorely missed the services of one player at the Asia Cup last month where the Salima Tete-led side lost in the final to hosts and Paris Olympics silver medallists China. Striker and drag-flicker Deepika Sehrawat could not travel to Hangzhou due to a tear in her hamstring. The injury meant India were without their primary penalty corner (PC) specialist at the 2026 World Cup qualifier. "We missed Deepika as we were also focussed on indirect PC attempts through her. Because of that we had to reset the entire PC attack structure. With Deepika, we would have scored more goals and would have been more cohesive. She is a player who can win matches," India head coach Harendra Singh told HT. On the road to recovery, Deepika is likely to return next month after weeks of rehabilitation. Although it was a 2mm tear, the 21-year-old is unlikely to push her body immediately after comeback. As a vital cog in the team's set-piece plans as well as attack, it is imperative that the forward from Hisar recovers completely before she resumes practicing PC routines as the drag-flick puts immense pressure on the hamstring. "The injury is much better now but I have to get stronger because if I slip again, the injury can become more serious," Deepika told HT. "Now I am able to walk properly but progress will be based on rehab. I will start playing and then drag-flicking. I will be able to train soon but drag-flicking will take a bit more time." Deepika has come a long way since her debut in 2022. Last year was her best as she scored 17 goals to end 2024 as the third-highest scorer at the women's elite level, after Dutchwoman Yibbi Jansen (29) and Belgium's Ambre Ballenghien (19). At the 2024 Asian Champion Trophy which India won, the Indian Oil employee emerged as the highest scorer with 11 goals and was named the Player of the Tournament. Deepika is critical to India's plans of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup which will be held in the Netherlands and Belgium. Two years ago, India missed the bus for the Paris Olympics. Relegated from the Pro League, they will also be deprived of top competition in the near future....