India have suffered a large damage blow a day earlier than their crossover match in opposition to New Zealand. Midfielder Hardik Singh, who sustained a hamstring damage throughout India’s match in opposition to England, has been dominated out from the event.
“Having rested the teen for the match in opposition to Wales, and subsequent evaluation, Hardik has now been dominated out of the Hockey World Cup,” stated Hockey India in an announcement.
Hardik shall be changed by alternate participant Raj Kumar Pal.
“In a single day we needed to make the tough resolution of changing Hardik Singh within the Indian Workforce for Sunday’s match vs New Zealand and the following World Cup matches,” chief coach Coach Graham Reid stated.
“Whereas the damage was not as extreme because the preliminary incident instructed, time was not on our facet and after our ongoing thorough rehabilitation course of and useful and on-field evaluation as we speak, it has been determined that we are going to substitute Hardik with Raj Kumar Pal. Whereas this can be very disappointing for Hardik personally after all, given how nicely he performed in our first two matches, we’re excited on the prospects of Raj Kumar becoming a member of the group for the remaining World Cup matches,” Reid added.
Having completed second in Pool D, India might want to win in opposition to New Zealand within the crossover match on Sunday to make the Quarterfinal.
India will tackle New Zealand on January 22.