NEW DELHI: India suffered a body blow to its Hockey World Cup campaign on Monday, losing assaulting midfielder Hardik Singh to a hamstring injury, Timesofindia.com has discovered.
He has been ruled out of Indias last pool game against Wales, with a severe question mark over his schedule for the rest of the tournament as well.Hardik was Indias finest player in their 2 matches against Spain and England however pulled his hamstring in the 4th quarter of Indias 0-0 draw versus England on Sunday.
India opened their project with a 2-0 win over Spain.If Hardik is dismissed of the tournament totally, it has been discovered that Rajkumar Pal will change him in Indias squad of 18.
Midfielder Rajkumar and defender Jugraj Singh were the 2 reserves called by Hockey India when they announced the World Cup team last month.FIH competition regulations mention that if an injured gamer from amongst the 18 is changed by a reserve, then the hurt player cant return to play because tournament, even if he recovers.Hardik Singh during the match vs England.
(IANS Photo)Hardik has actually been the lynchpin for India in the midfield, doubling up as an assaulter.
He showcased those abilities with his sensational solo effort to score the second objective in Indias 2-0 win in their competition opener against Spain on January 13.
Hardik underwent an MRI on Sunday night.India handle Wales on January 19 in Bhubaneswar and England play Spain on the exact same day in the last 2 matches of Pool D.
The lead to those two matches will decide who tops the pool for a direct entry into the quarterfinals.Both India and England have a win and a draw each from 2 matches so far, however England lead the swimming pool presently on a better goal distinction.