India, June 26 -- Star drag-flicker Deepika Sehrawat says the toughest challenge of her career was not scoring goals but coping with months away from hockey after a serious hamstring injury, a period that left her frustrated, emotional and questioning when she would return to the field.

Now, after playing a pivotal role in India's title-winning FIH Nations Cup campaign in New Zealand, the 22-year-old feels she has rediscovered both her confidence and rhythm at a crucial time, with the World Cup and Asian Games on the horizon.

Deepika, who missed last year's Asia Cup after suffering a Grade III hamstring tear, made an impressive return by finishing as the joint highest scorer at the Nations Cup with six goals, alongside American Ashley S...