Drag-flicker Lakra makes a mark, guided by Peillat

There is a big difference between the Amandeep Lakra of before and after Hockey India League (HIL).

- Sandip Sikdar

NEW DELHI: Going into the eight-team competition that ended on February 1, Lakra was an upcoming player who had made his mark at the junior level and was aspiring to make it to the India senior team.

Now, Lakra is on the fringes of India team selection with chief coach Craig Fulton including the 22-year-old among the core probables after a brilliant run in the HIL for Hyderabad Toofans, guiding the Sumit Walmiki-led side into the final.

Though the Toofans didn't win—they lost to Bengal Tiger—Lakra made a mark, scoring five crucial goals in the tournament. More importantly, the son of hockey coach Bijay Kumar Lakra got to share the dressing room with his idol and drag-flick legend Gonzalo Peillat for more than two months, which he says has helped him improve manifold.