Life has come a full circle for Adrian D'Souza

For a sportsperson, making a comeback is not easy. And, if you're Adrian D'Souza, it is bound to be tougher.

The 30-year-old goalkeeper not only has to fight age, fitness and form, but also perception. The Mumbaikar, who has represented the country in more than 100 internationals, last donned the Indian jersey in 2011. Since then, he has been shunned by the national body for his participation in the rebel World Series Hockey (WSH), and banned for a year after failing a dope test in 2012. Why, he even decided to try his trade as a commentator in the previous season of the Hockey India League (HIL). In short, his international career, which started in 2004, seemed finished.

But, as they say, it's not over until it's actually over. D'Souza got a lease of life in the form of HIL franchise Dabang Mumbai, who stressed on having local flavour in the franchise. They picked up D'Souza, who gladly replaced the mic with the stick. Six games on, the franchise might have won only one game, but they've given D'Souza a chance to do what he does best.

"For me, it's not very challenging because I never stopped playing hockey. It's been more of a good experience. Being under the bar is something I love to do always. So, I wouldn't say it's challenging, but it's an experience that I'd love to have," he said.

After the ban, D'Souza continued to save quite a few goals at the nationals for his club, Air India. Experts reckoned he was worth giving another shot, but the people in power differed. That's where the perception factor of a slightly controversial past kicks in. Does he hope it changes, now that he is part of the HIL?

"Surely," he shot back. "I do believe in the system. We've seen Gurbaj Singh do very well in the last two HIL seasons, and today he's become a very important player for the national team. So, I don't see how the selectors could avoid it."

They indeed can't. For, the fact remains that besides PR Sreejesh, you can barely count on fingertips the number of goalkeepers that have the ability to knock on national doors. D'Souza agreed.

"Sreejesh has been doing really well for the past few years. He's accomplished himself as a professional goalkeeper. To be honest, I'm not actually looking at it in a very competitive way with regards to the national team, because if I do that, I'll lose my focus," he said.

D'Souza doesn't want to risk that again. For a man who was primed for greatness – having represented India at the Olympics (2004) and the World Cup (2006) – his career went spiralling down after 2010. His participation in WSH saw him being dropped from the national team in 2011. Three years is a long time to be out of action.

"I'm not disappointed in the sense that I regret every moment. But there are times when you always know that you've lost a couple of years when you could've been playing for the national team. But that's life, and you have to learn from it. I think I've learnt from it, and I'm still learning. I'm happy where I am today," he said.

Does he regret joining the WSH?

"Well, I wouldn't want to comment whether I regret or I'm happy about it. It's something that happened, and there were many players who played in that," he said.

Despite all the issues that hit D'Souza, not once did he think of quitting the sport, not even when he was handed a one-year ban for doping.

"I never thought of my achievements as being enough. I only thought of my performance and fitness as being important. The day I think I'm not fit enough to be a good goalkeeper, that'll be the day I'll hang my shoes and say 'no more professional hockey'.

"Hockey has been my life. The entire period of what I went through was a learning lesson for me. Every month, every day. And I'm happy that after being a commentator last year, I'm a player again now," he said.

He's clear he doesn't want to look too far ahead, and that his goal at the moment is only doing well for Dabang Mumbai and getting into the national camp. But as you're reminded of the Olympic rings that he has got tattooed on his torso, the inevitable question crops up.

Is he dreaming of Rio 2016?

"Well, playing for India at the Olympics is any hockey player's dream. If I can focus on my job, I can surely be hopeful of being back in the national set-up.

"I wouldn't want to think too much about it, but at the same time I wouldn't want to give up my hopes on it," he said.

Know Adrian
Born: March 24, 1984
Also known as: The Rush

ACHIEVEMENTS
Participated in 2004 Athens Olympic Games, 2006 Doha Asian Games
Was part of the team that won bronze in 2006 Sultan Azlan Shah, 2007 Champions Challenge, gold in 2007 Asia Cup and silver in 2008 Sultan Azlan Shah