Deepika Sehrawat eyes a fresh start as Indian Women’s Hockey looks ahead

After a testing year for Indian women’s hockey, drag-flicker Deepika Sehrawat is optimistic that 2026 will bring renewed energy and results for the national team. The 22-year-old forward, returning from a five-month injury layoff, is set to play for Delhi SG Pipers in the upcoming Women’s Hockey India League (WHIL).

“It has been a tough year, but things will change in the new year. Our first goal is World Cup qualification, followed by the Asian Games,” Deepika said.

Deepika was forced to miss the Asia Cup in August after a fall during practice, describing the time away from the field as one of the hardest phases of her career. “The five months off were very difficult. I used to get angry and cry, wondering why I was sidelined. My preparation was good, and now that I am fit, I am determined not to leave any stone unturned,” she said.

The national team had a disappointing 2025, finishing last in the FIH Pro League and being relegated to the second-tier Nations Cup. They also lost direct World Cup qualification after a defeat to China in the Asia Cup final. Compounding the struggles, head coach Harendra Singh resigned amid allegations of an outdated and dictatorial coaching style.

India will now compete in the World Cup qualifiers in Hyderabad this March. Teams including England, Scotland, Korea, Italy, Uruguay, Wales, and Austria will contest for the top three spots to qualify for the tournament in Belgium and the Netherlands in August.

“We have to show that the Indian team is second to none. We must regain the momentum we built after finishing fourth at the Tokyo Olympics,” Deepika said.

Since making her senior debut in 2022 during the Pro League in Bhubaneswar, Deepika has reflected on the team’s struggles. “Repeated mistakes and poor communication cost us last year. The errors that led to our Pro League exit were repeated in the Asia Cup. Better communication is essential,” she noted.

Mental fitness has been a key part of her comeback. Her WHIL franchise arranged a 15-day rehabilitation camp in Jaipur after the national camp, helping her regain fitness and confidence. “When a player is mentally relaxed, physical fitness comes naturally. Support from the franchise was crucial for my return,” she said.

Deepika trained alone in Jaipur, using the Sawai Mansingh Stadium and a gym to rebuild her strength. She has now resumed drag-flicking and says she feels stronger than ever. “The team has changed a lot this season, but coordination is excellent. We are learning a lot from foreign players, and I hope our performance will improve this year,” she said.

Hailing from a family of wrestlers, Deepika initially followed the family path but was drawn to hockey. “I used to go for wrestling practice, but the hockey field on the way captured my heart. Now I want to prove that choosing hockey was the right decision,” she said.

With a renewed mindset and determination, Deepika aims to inspire the team and help Indian women’s hockey reclaim its momentum on the international stage.