LONDON, Aug. 14 -- 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 wasn't straightforward. Her eagerness to return led to a premature stint in the Hockey India League (HIL). Though she was desperate to compete, the pain lingered. A critical intervention by Wayne Lombard, the team's scientific advisor, and his conditioning staff altered her trajectory. They delivered a hard truth: she had to prioritise long-term healing over short-term participation. "They told me that major tournaments are coming up, so we shouldn't aggravate the injury. Their main focus was to free me from the injury first and then get me to play," the ace drag-flicker told HT. This meant sitting out of the crucial World Cup Qualifiers, a bitter pill to swallow. For three months, she underwent rigorous but dedicated rehabilitation. "Mentally, it was very tough. I wanted to come back soon. I wanted to play. But it was good they decided to rehab me properly. If I had played the Qualifiers, I might have injured myself further," said the 22-year-old. The hamstring is fully healed now. Aside from some preventative taping, Deepika feels no pressure when unleashing her trademark drag-flicks. Her role within the squad is dual and indispensable. As a striker, she is expected to breach defensive lines and create circle entries. As a penalty corner (PC) expert, she is tasked with converting high-pressure set-pieces into goals. Balancing these responsibilities requires immense physical power and psychological resilience. At the Nations Cup, India's PC conversion rate was good (13 goals out of the total 16 scored). Deepika alone accounted for six, all from drag-flicks. This newfound efficiency is heavily credited to a specialised training camp led by Dutch drag-flick legend Taeke Taekema, who has been holding camps with the Indian team from time to time. Taekema has transformed the team's approach to PCs from a reliance on brute force to a masterclass in tactical precision. "The camp this time was a lot more detailed. We didn't just work on the pitch, we spent time watching videos of other teams to see their defensive structures and how their goalkeepers position themselves," said the forward from Haryana's Hisar. Taekema's most profound impact, perhaps, may have been on Deepika's mindset. "He told me to breathe before taking the flick, to relax. He made me realise that other teams judge you, and sometimes they will make the save. It's not necessary to score a goal every time but it's important to focus on your skills," said Deepika. Coupled with visualisation techniques suggested by India's veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia, Deepika has learned to quiet her mind before high stakes matches. Add to that, Marijne reminded her that her value isn't tied solely to set-pieces. "He told me it doesn't matter if I don't score on a PC because I am a good striker who can score field goals too. That gave me the confidence I need," she said. The World Cup and Asian Games present monumental challenges. But Deepika's focus is clear. "When we go for a strike, the result must be something, a PC, a shot on goal, or a good pass," she said....