The experience that Bhandup lad Dhananjay Mahadik had gained while playing in German Bundesliga for the 1st Division team TG Frankenthal has finally paid rich dividends. The 25-year-old Havaldar of the Indian Army was recalled to the Europe tour-bound Indian hockey team.

The 23-member side will play four Tests against England (in Birmingham) and three each against Belgium (in Antwerp) and Spain (in Terassa). Besides, it will also play two Tests versus Holland in Amstelveen during the 25-day tour.

“I knew my hard work and exploits in the Bundesliga will certainly help me one day,” said the Army XI skipper who had led his team to a title victory in the Bombay Gold Cup held in April earlier. Mahadik had just returned a couple of days ago from the German tour when he got the news that he’d been recalled to the team after he had last donned India colours during the 2006 SAF Games at Colombo, Sri Lanka.

“In fact I had received a call from the team management just couple of days before the Indian camp in Pune. But I had already committed to my German Club TG Frankenthal for a two-week stint starting on June 20,” says Mahadik. “Then I spoke to Indian coach Jose Brasa and explained to him about my prior commitment to the German team. He graciously agreed to release me after a week’s training at Pune camp,” added Mahadik.

Now soon after his return, Mahadik got the news of being recalled, which means that in just a week’s training with Indian team, Mahadik had managed to impress the Spanish coach. “Brasa sir was happy with my style of playing. Once he told me that he finds me very hard working and an intelligent player,” claims Mahadik. “I think that clinched the berth for me in the Indian team,” felt Mahadik.

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