His training sessions before the 1997 Junior World Cup at the National Stadium in New Delhi were like sorties on the astro-turf. He made goalkeepers nervous. His unruly, mop of hair, a mass of curls, were held together by a bandana. He was in a way, like his hair, bobbing into the striking circle, stick to ball, shoulder feints making a mockery of defensive walls, his sprints spreading chaos through team ranks.

Rise at the Nationals

Rajiv Mishra popped out of the National Championships and into the nation’s consciousness. Milton Keynes was his Karam-Bhoomi. The stadium was small, could seat approximately 6000 plus spectators and the day India played, Indians streamed in from all corners of Europe, match over, couple of drinks later, they went back.