New year will bring new hope for Indian women's hockey: Drag-flicker Deepika
New Delhi (PTI): After a challenging year marked by injuries, inconsistent performances and missed opportunities, Indian women's hockey drag-flicker Deepika Sehrawat is confident the new season will bring renewed hope and momentum for the national team.
The 22-year-old forward, who is set to return to action for Delhi SG Pipers in the Women's Hockey India League (WHIL) after a five-month injury layoff, said the past year had been difficult for the national side.
"Many things will change in the new year. The World Cup qualification will be our first challenge, and then there are the Asian Games,” Deepika told PTI Bhasha.
She was ruled out of the Asia Cup in August after slipping during a practice session before the team's departure, a setback she described as one of the toughest phases of her career.
"The five months away from hockey were very difficult. I used to get angry and cry, wondering why I was out of the team. My preparation was very good. Now that I am fit, I don't want to leave any stone unturned," said the Hockey India's Best Emerging Player award winner for 2025.
The national team endured a disappointing season, finishing last in the FIH Pro League and getting relegated to the second-tier Nations Cup. It also missed out on direct qualification for the World Cup after losing to China in the Asia Cup final.
Closer to the end of the year, the side was caught in turmoil when head coach Harendra Singh had to resign following allegations that his coaching style was "outdated and dictatorial".
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India will now have to secure their place through the World Cup qualifiers in Hyderabad in March, where England, Scotland, Korea, Italy, Uruguay, Wales and Austria will also compete. The top-three teams will qualify for the tournament to be hosted by Belgium and Netherlands in August.
"We have to show that the Indian team is second to none. We need to bring back the momentum that women's hockey gained after finishing fourth at the Tokyo Olympics," Deepika said.
Deepika, who made her senior team debut in 2022 during the Pro League in Bhubaneswar, believes that repeated mistakes and lack of communication hurt the team last year.
"We should have focused more on correcting recurring mistakes. The same errors that led to our exit from the Pro League were repeated in the Asia Cup. Better communication within the team was also needed," she added.
She also emphasised the importance of mental fitness, crediting her HIL franchise for supporting her comeback.
"If a player is mentally relaxed, physical fitness comes naturally. When we are happy, our performance improves. I wanted to make my comeback through the HIL, and after the national camp ended, the franchise arranged a 15-day camp for me in Jaipur and showed faith in me. That helped me return fit," she said.
Deepika stayed alone in Jaipur for the rehab, took a gym membership and trained at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Deepika said she had resumed drag-flicking and feels physically stronger than before.
"There have been many changes in our team in the league, but there is very good coordination. We learn a lot from foreign players. Hopefully, our performance will be better this year," said the Rohtak-born player.
Coming from a family of wrestlers, Deepika revealed that her father initially wanted her to follow the family tradition, but her heart was always set on hockey.
"I used to go for wrestling practice, but there was a hockey field on the way and I was drawn to it. My family wanted me to choose wrestling, but I chose hockey. Now I want to prove my decision was right," she said.
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Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi says 2025 year of proud milestones for India
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said 2025 was a year of proud milestones for India as he highlighted Operation Sindoor, saying it became a symbol of pride for every Indian and showed the world that the country does not compromise on its security.
Addressing his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' address, the last in 2025, Modi said the country's impact was visible everywhere in the outgoing year.
"2025 was a year of proud milestones for India. Whether in national security, sports, scientific innovation or on the world's biggest platforms, India's impact was visible everywhere," he said.
The prime minister said during Operation Sindoor, images of love and devotion toward 'Maa Bharti' (Mother India) emerged from every corner of the nation and people expressed their emotions and gratitude in their own unique ways.
"Operation Sindoor' became a symbol of pride for every Indian. The world witnessed clearly that today's India does not compromise on its security," he said.
India carried out precision strikes under Operation Sindoor on terror infrastructure in Pakistan on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the military confrontation.
Modi said the same spirit was witnessed when national song 'Vande Mataram' completed 150 years.
"I had urged you to share your messages and suggestions using the hashtag '#VandeMataram150', and our fellow citizens participated in this campaign with immense enthusiasm," he said.
The prime minister noted that 2025 has truly been a memorable year for sports, with the men's cricket team clinching the ICC Champions Trophy and the women's cricket team winning the World Cup for the first time.
Besides, India's daughters scripted history by winning the Women's Blind T20 World Cup.
The tricolour flew high with pride after a dominant victory in the Asia Cup T20 and para-athletes brought home a haul of medals at the World Championships, he said. Modi also said that India has taken a giant leap in the field of science and space, and Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to reach the International Space Station.
Today, he said, the world looks toward India with great hope and the biggest reason for this expectation is the country's Youth Power.
"Nations across the globe are deeply impressed by our achievements in science, constant innovations, and the expansion of technology," he said.
The prime minister said the number of cheetahs in India has increased to more than 30 in 2025.
Taking note of various events held during the year, he said in 2025, faith, culture, and India's unique heritage all came together.
"The Prayagraj Mahakumbh organised at the beginning of the year astonished the entire world. At the end of the year, the 'Dhwajarohan' ceremony at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya filled every Indian with pride," he said.
Modi said the excitement towards 'swadeshi' was also evident among one and all and people are purchasing only those goods that bear the sweat of an Indian and the fragrance of Indian soil.
"Today, we can proudly say that 2025 has given India even greater confidence. It is also true that this year we had to face natural disasters at very many places. Now, the country is ready to move forward in 2026 with new hopes and new resolutions," he added.
In the 129th edition of Mann Ki Baat, PM Narendra Modi says, "2025 was also a memorable year in terms of sports. Our Men's Cricket team won the ICC Champions' Trophy. The women's cricket team won the World Cup for the first time. The daughters of Bharat created history by winning… pic.twitter.com/iXRGLaPdyK
— ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2025
