Fit-again Mandeep eyes comeback through Jr World Cup

Sidelined by injuries since the Champions Trophy in London earlier this year, young India striker Mandeep is desperate to impress the national selectors with his showing in the ongoing men’s Junior Hockey World Cup here in a bid to earn his place back in the senior side.

Mandeep became an instant hit following his superb goal-scoring spree in the inaugural edition of the Hockey India League in 2013 which eventually earned him a call in the senior national side for Hockey World League Round 1 in Fiji. 

Since then the 21-year-old striker from Surjeet Singh Hockey Academy has been in and out of the senior side because of injuries and dip in form.

Mandeep is looking to utilise each and every opportunity to impress the Roelant Oltmans-led coaching set-up and the selectors.

“Of late I suffered a lot of injuries. I last played for India in the Champions Trophy in London but then I missed the Rio Olympics with a finger injury. It was a very disappointing moment for me because I was playing well at that time,” Mandeep said.