``Playing in the World Cup was a new experience. The atmosphere was thrilling. In fact, it was more like playing before our own people as so many Asians thronged the grounds for all the games,'' Nikhil Chopra said here last evening.

``The atmosphere in the Indian dressing room was friendly despite the team's early losses in the league. All the players were determined to do well,'' he added. ``I realise that the team, however, could not fulfil the high expectations of the millions of Indian fans who wanted to see the national team win back the World Cup,'' he said.

Although the Indian team is not scheduled to play any matches for the next two months (the team is scheduled to tour Sri Lanka in August) and the domestic tournaments are slated to begin only in October, Nikhil will keep himself busy and fit by attending `nets' regularly. ``Now onwards, I'll be at the National Stadium nets to keep myself fit for the coming season,'' he said.

A former student of Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, Nikhil last evening attended a function organised by his club, Delhi Blues, to felicitate former school Principal Vibha Parthasarathy, who has been nominated chairperson of the All India Women's Council. Also present was left-arm spinner Rahul Sanghvi, another Sardar Patel Vidyalaya product.