Hockey World Cup: India drop injured Hardik Singh before crucial match

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Bhubaneswar | India on Sunday suffered a major blow ahead of the crucial crossover match against New Zealand in the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 with key midfielder Hardik Singh ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury. Hardik Singh was a livewire in midfield in India’s first two matches in Pool D and suffered a hamstring injury during the clash with England on 15 January. After resting the youngster for the match against Wales and subsequent assessment, Hardik has now been ruled out. This was confirmed by Hockey India on Saturday.

Hockey India also informed that Hardik will be replaced by alternate player Raj Kumar Pal.

Talking about the team management’s decision, head coach Graham Reid said, “We had to take a difficult overnight decision to include Hardik Singh in the Indian squad for Sunday’s match versus New Zealand and subsequent World Cup matches.”

After finishing second in Pool D, India will need a win against New Zealand in the crossover match on Sunday to reach the quarter-finals (IANS)

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