Hunger to wear India colours again kept me strong, says fit-again Ramandeep

The hunger to wear the India colours again kept me motivated and strong, says striker Ramandeep Singh, who is making a comeback to the national hockey team after recovering from a career-threatening injury that kept him in the sidelines for nearly a year.

Ramandeep has been recalled to the Indian team for the FIH Hockey Series Finals, to be played in Bhubaneswar from June 6 to 15, after recovering from a full thickness condral fracture-injury in the centre of his right knee.

He had sustained the injury during India's match against Pakistan at the FIH Men's Champions Trophy in June last year.

India's opening match against Russia on Thursday will mark exactly 348 days since Ramandeep last wore the national jersey.

"I think what really kept me strong through this entire period was my hunger to wear the India jersey again. I just did not want to give up on this desire and kept working on gaining full match fitness," said Ramadeep.

"Now that I have been selected and have with me the newly launched India jersey, it reinstates my belief and confidence. I am really excited to play for India again, I have literally counted days for this moment and I will do my best for the team which stood by me during my struggle over the past year."
"To be dependent on someone for basics was emotionally very challenging but the entire team and the support staff were always there to lift my spirits and motivate me. I had not disclosed about my injury to my family until I could start walking."