Bhubaneswar: In a setback to the Indian hockey team ahead of its crucial crossover match against New Zealand on Sunday, Hockey India announced the replacement of charismatic midfielder Hardik Singh. Hardik had sustained a hamstring injury during India’s match against England on January 15. Hardik was rested for the match against Wales, which India won 4-2, and subsequent assessment, the young midfielder has now been ruled out of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela.
He will be replaced by alternate player Raj Kumar Pal.
Talking about the team management’s decision, chief coach Graham Reid said, “Overnight we had to make the difficult decision of replacing Hardik Singh in the Indian Team for Sunday’s match vs New Zealand and also the subsequent Hockey World Cup matches.”
“While the injury was not as severe as it was thought to be, time was not on our side and following our ongoing thorough rehabilitation process and functional as well as an on-field assessment on Saturday, it has been decided that we will replace Hardik with Raj Kumar Pal. While it is extremely disappointing for Hardik personally, of course, given how well he played in our first two matches, we are excited at the prospects of Raj Kumar joining the group for the remaining World Cup matches,” Reid added.
Having finished second in Pool D, India will need to win against New Zealand in the crossover match on Sunday to make the quarterfinal of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela.
