On August 29, 2025, just before the Asia Cup in Hangzhou, a severe hamstring injury brought her career to an abrupt halt. LONDON: For a year, the hockey pitch was a place of quiet frustration for Deepika Sehrawat.
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. Because i am a good striker who can score field goals too, “He told me it doesn’t matter if I don’t score on a PC. What followed was a long period of recurring pain and rehabilitation. Yet, when she finally stepped back onto the turf in Auckland for the I ndian women’s hockey team , the doubts evaporated. Deepika’s journey back was anything but straightforward. Following the initial injury, 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. Furthermore, Marijne reminded her that her value isn’t tied solely to set-pieces.
That gave me the confidence I need,” she said.
Outlook
During the Nations Cup, India’s penalty corner (PC) conversion rate was good, yielding 13 goals out of the total 16 scored. 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 the designated finisher, tasked with converting high-pressure set-pieces into goals. Balancing these responsibilities requires immense physical power and psychological resilience. Deepika alone accounted for six, all from drag-flicks. 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 who hails from Haryana’s Hisar.
This newfound efficiency is heavily credited to a specialised training camp led by Dutch drag-flick legend Taeke Taekema, who has been associated with the Indian team since last year, holding camps from time to time.
