Shilpi Dabas has finally earned her India colours. The defender from Sonepat made her India debut in the 3-2 win against the USA in the FIH Nations Cup and became an integral part of the team that went on to beat New Zealand and win the tournament.For someone who was waiting to be called for the national camp for eight years, Shilpi now has become a regular starter for the team. Now the World Cup and Asian Games are her next outings.“To return with a tournament win in my first ever tour was something special. My India debut came after a long wait. I was a little nervous in my first game against the USA. We were trailing in that match but we came back to win it 3-2. I enjoyed every bit of it. It was truly a special feeling,” Shilpi told The Tribune.Shilpi, who started playing hockey at the sports complex in Chandigarh’s Sector 42 and then joined Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy in Sonepat, has been a regular at the domestic circuit since joining the Railways in 2018. However, she was never called to join the national camps.“After the Nationals, I hoped they (selectors) would ask me to join the national camp. But I was never called up. I was asked to come for a trial after I had given up hope. Now I am happy,” said the defender who won the HIL with SG Pipers.Shilpi reached the SAI training base of the Indian team in Bengaluru only an hour before the start of the trial match. As a trainee attached to the SAI National Centre of Excellence, the office order that was to allow her to move her base came at the very last moment.“I reached there in the morning, played in the trial match and then was asked to join the national camp after that,” she said.Emotional callShilpi’s family — father Anil, mother Anita and brother Sahil, who have all played the game — was an emotional bunch after learning about her debut for India.“We had a video call and my parents were very happy after they learned I was to make my debut. Of course they were emotional because we had to wait for this debut for a long time. But one thing I remember, they told me this was only a start, I have a long way to go,” Shilpi said.