Drag-Flicking into future: Amandeep Lakra aims senior call-up with HIL success for Toofans

Amandeep Lakra wasted little time justifying Hyderabad Toofans’ faith in him. Entrusted as the team’s first-choice drag-flicker and tasked with leading the penalty-corner battery in Gonzalo Peillat’s absence, the 23-year-old delivered under pressure on the opening night of the second season of the Hockey India League on Saturday.

Trailing 2-0 against Tamil Nadu Dragons, Toofans needed belief as much as goals. Amandeep supplied both, converting twice from penalty corners to haul his team back into the contest and force a shootout after a 3-3 stalemate in regulation time. Toofans eventually went down 4-2 in the shootout, but the shift in momentum bore his stamp.

“I’m feeling really good. The support I’m getting (from the team) – whether I make mistakes or not – gives me a lot of confidence. Playing on such a big platform and getting that support isn’t easy,” Amandeep said after the match.

Peillat’s absence was always going to loom large. The German international, sidelined by an ACL injury and regarded as one of the finest drag-flickers of all time, had scored eight penalty-corner goals during Toofans’ runner-up campaign last season. But Amandeep, who scored all five of his goals from penalty corners last season, had already been identified as the successor, a call publicly backed by team director Siddharth Pandey before the start of this season.

“Whatever training the coach (Pasha Gademan) has given me, and with the trust he has shown in me, I don’t want to break that trust. I just want to stick strictly to our plan,” said Amandeep.

Even in Peillat’s absence, Amandeep is guided by his advice. “He always says that if we are converting a PC, we should mostly keep it inside (the frame). If we keep it inside, we have a lot of chances for a rebound, and many players are ready for the rebound.”

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For Amandeep, strong performances here are also a pathway forward. “If you perform well here, it’s a big plus point for you to make it to the senior team. The senior team coaches will be watching. If they think someone is doing well, they might give him a chance in the future,” he said. On the opening night, he played like someone ready for that next step.

Published on Jan 04, 2026