Worked on every aspect of game that needed improvement: Comeback-man Krishan Pathak

New Delhi, Back in the mix after a nine-month absence, Indian men's hockey team goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak says he has worked on every aspect of his game that needed improvement ahead of the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy.

The 29-year-old last played for India on the tour of South Africa in December 2025. He was dropped from the squad alongside two other players for alleged indiscipline during the South Africa series.

Pathak said he fine-tuned his goalkeeping skills in Bengaluru during this time, working hard for a return to the national colours.

Pathak was named in India's 18-member squad, replacing Mohith HS, for the October 27 to November 5 tournament to be held in Jalandhar and Mohali.

The venue in Jalandhar – Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium – is also home to the Surjit Hockey Academy where Pathak grew up learning the sport.

"What makes the occasion even bigger for me and others from the Surjit Hockey Academy is that we will be playing at the same ground where we learned the sport for seven years," said Pathak in a press release issued by Hockey India.

"I don't think there can be anything bigger than that."

Pathak, who has played 156 international games, was an understudy of the legendary PR Sreejesh who retired after the 2024 Paris Olympics.