Football
Against all odds: Ashutosh Mehta's comeback after doping ban
After serving nearly 800 days of ban, Ashutosh made his much-anticipated comeback to the field as a Jamshedpur FC player at the Durand Cup.

Ashutosh Mehta with Jamshedpur FC coach Khalid Jamil. (Photo credit: Ashutosh Mehta)
As the 133rd Indian Oil Durand Cup kicked off, all eyes were on the grand celebrations and the arrival of the prestigious trophy.
Ashutosh Mehta, the full-back who was absent from professional football for nearly 800 days, made his much-anticipated comeback to the field as a Jamshedpur FC player.
The road to this moment has been anything but smooth.
On March 24, 2022, a routine training with erstwhile ATK Mohun Bagan took a harrowing turn when Mehta received news of a failed doping test.
Initially dismissing it as a clerical error, his disbelief turned into panic upon receiving confirmation from the National Anti-Doping Agency (Nada) that a banned substance had been detected in a supplement he had taken.
This was no ordinary mistake; it was a bitter dose of reality as he was banned for two years from professional football.
The challenges
The impact of such a ban extends far beyond the immediate suspension.
For athletes, a doping ban is not merely a period of enforced inactivity but a profound psychological and emotional ordeal.
It disrupts careers, damages reputations, and challenges one’s identity.
For 33-year-old Mehta, the hiatus meant grappling with uncertainty, isolation, and a relentless battle with self-doubt.
“I was in an absolute war with myself,” Mehta said during an interaction with the media. “I played a match after around 800 days, and during these days, I was all by myself; I was my friend, I was my enemy, and I was my biggest competitor.”
During this enforced break, the psychological strain on Mehta was immense. The constant scrutiny and the stigma attached to a doping violation can be debilitating.
Despite the ban, Mehta remained dedicated to his fitness regime, determined not to let his career slip away.
“It’s very difficult to put in the work when no camera and no one is watching,” he admitted. “I just had to keep my head down and keep working.”
The societal and personal challenges that come with a doping ban are profound. Athletes often face scepticism from peers and fans, questioning their integrity and commitment.
For Mehta, who had been at the peak of his career with a national team debut and a lucrative contract with ATK Mohun Bagan, the ban was a devastating setback.
The comeback
His comeback to the field with Jamshedpur FC has been incredibly successful.
The full-back’s performance in the Durand Cup opener, where Jamshedpur FC secured a clean sheet against Assam Rifles FT, was proof of his enduring spirit.
“I feel humbled and grateful to the almighty that I could make a comeback after 800 days,” Mehta said. “It’s just the beginning of a long season, but I am happy that we managed to get the three points today with a clean sheet.”
Mehta’s comeback is also a reflection of the trust and faith placed in him by his former mentor, Khalid Jamil, now head coach of Jamshedpur FC.
Jamil, who has guided Mehta through various stages of his career, was instrumental in steering his move to Jamshedpur FC.
“When he joined us, he was strong, if not stronger, both mentally and physically, ready to contribute to the team’s success,” Jamil noted.
“He has matured, and he knows that this comeback year will be crucial for him," added the coach.