‘Sundrop boy’ begins to pick up pieces after failing dope test

Mention the ad to that ‘boy’ and the embarrassment in his voice becomes apparent. “I came to know only recently that it was such a big hit. I was only seven back then,” he says.

Twenty-two years after bursting onto the scene with that ad,the ‘Sundrop boy’ is now hoping his career blossoms all over again. Nishant Mehra’s is one of Indian football’s intriguing stories.

A semi-pro model and a professional footballer,who achieved the dubious distinction of becoming the first Indian player to flunk a dope test,the 29-year-old midfielder is now hoping to resurrect his career after serving a two-year ban imposed on him by the National Anti-Doping Agency.

Mehra tested positive for recreational drug THC (a byproduct of marijuana) in February 2011. Back then,he was the captain of Mumbai FC and was one of the good Indian players in the league. The news obviously came as a shock to Mehra and the football fraternity.

“The first few months after the ban were tough. There have been good days where I have handled my situation well and there have been days where I have let it get the better of me,” he says.

Mehra’s suspension period got over on February 10 and he rejoined Mumbai FC soon after. On a comeback trail,he is with the squad training for the remainder of the I-League season,which will resume in a little over three weeks.

“I am eager to start again but I will take one step at a time. My immediate target is to get back into the starting 11 at Mumbai FC,” Mehra said. “The team has been growing in strength throughout this season. I hope with my inclusion,we can do better. Coach (Khalid Jamil) will be able to tell when will I get to start a game. It depends a lot on how I perform in training and what the team needs in the matches ahead,” he added.

Mehra put the ban period to good use. He helped his friend’s Bandra-based team Celtic7070,played basketball with friends and got married.

And while away from the game,he made the most of his alternate “career”. He will soon be seen alongside Indian cricket captain M S Dhoni in a cola ad. “A friend of mine who was working on an ad campaign called me up and asked if I would be interested in playing a small part in it. All I had to do was to play football and did not have to act much so I was happy to do it. It was a lot of fun,” he said.