I've evolved in last 13 years, enjoying mentor's role now: Vandana

Indian women's hockey team striker Vandana Katariya believes she has evolved as a player over the last 13 years and is currently enjoying the role of a mentor in a side that figures quite a lot of youngsters.

"When I had started off at the age of 15, I was always very fearless. I would try to use my skills, retain possession for as long as possible and then aim for goal. But with time, I realised that you can't play like that, especially when the sport has evolved so much. I also had to evolve," said Vandana, who made her senior debut in 2007.

"Now with experience, and with the influx of so many young players in the team, I really enjoy the mentoring bit. I know I have the experience which can be helpful to the younger players, and I keep talking to them about different situations that they will face on the field, and what all they can do.

"It is not as if I want them to follow exactly what I say, but I try to make them use their vision and think for themselves about what decisions ...