the mazy runs, mellifluous stick-work, cheeky passes, effervescent body language — Deepak Thakur seems to have rekindled his form. The man of the tournament in the recent Murugappa Gold Hockey Cup, Deepak outshone his national-side peers so much, they went literally unnoticed.

But then Deepak has displayed such sparks of romance throughout his career, though he has also traversed the inevitable troughs. Touted as a teen prodigy even before his haul of 10 goals in the 2001 Junior World Cup in Australia, Deepak had his taste of glory , Deepak’s contribution to India winning bronze in the 2000 Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament (five goals), gold in the 2001 Prime Minister’s Gold Cup Hockey Tournament in Dhaka (six goals) and the Champions Challenger Cup in Malaysia (six goals) was vital. But subsequent inconsistency and injuries lent uncertainty to his spot in the national squad and he was in and out of the squad. He last donned the national colours in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Undeterred, Deepak toiled hard in the domestic circuit. He reinforced his credentials in the Premier Hockey League, helping his side Chandigarh Dynamos win the tier II in 2005 and emerge runners-up in 2006 and 2008.

Meanwhile, he plied his wares in the German first division with HTC Stuttgarter Kickers. Deepak reflects that playing in Germany improved him physically and technically . “It was definitely a good experience and I evolved as a better all-round player. It also toughened me mentally and physically . With not that many domestic tournaments in India, it kept me match fit and gave me the confidence that I’m still good enough,” he says.Though he is keen to reclaim his spot in the national squad, he is not dejected on not being picked. “I am happy I’m in good form. I am just focused on playing my game and scoring goals, which I had been doing pretty consistently . I am not too bothered about selectors. Let them take me when they have full confidence in me,” he says.

On similar turf to Deepak is Arjun Halappa, the seasoned attacking midfielder who has earned 162 India caps. In the Murugappa hockey tournament, Arjun was his usual self — crafty, agile and selfless, always initiating chances for Air India, the winners of the tourney . Arjun was particularly impressive in the last PHL, taking his side to its second title and earning the man of the tournament award. But surprisingly , the veteran was not included in the camps for the subsequent Belgium Test series and the Olympic-qualifier. “I was hopeful of at least being in the camp. But that didn’t happen despite my good form,” Arjun says, adding that the desire to clinch an Olympic gold drives him.

Despite the fact that the selectors have shown him the stick since the 2006 Commonwealth Games, he exudes a certain degree of calmness. The 28-year-old Coorgi believes that his persistence and consistency will be rewarded sooner than later. “If I keep performing, the selectors won’t ignore me for long. I am not angry with them, but I want to impress them and prove that I have a lot left in me,” he asserts.

However, with a bevy of youngsters in the reckoning and the national side on a restructuring process, both Deepak and Arjun have to push the pedal. “Competition, provided it is healthy , is always good for any sport. With our team on the rebuilding process, more youngsters will be tested. But if am consistent and fit, there is no reason why I shouldn’t be back in the national reckoning,” Arjun trails off. Given their recent form, both Deepak and Arjun are poised for a comeback. But with Indian hockey’s structure in the doldrums, they have to bide their time.