Hockey World Cup: Mid-fielder Hardik Singh dominated out resulting from hamstring damage

India have suffered an enormous damage blow a day earlier than their crossover match towards New Zealand. Midfielder Hardik Singh, who sustained a hamstring damage throughout India’s match towards England, has been dominated out from the match.

“Having rested the youngster for the match against Wales, and subsequent assessment, Hardik has now been ruled out of the Hockey World Cup,” stated Hockey India in a press release.

Hardik shall be changed by alternate participant Raj Kumar Pal.

“Overnight we had to make the difficult decision of replacing Hardik Singh in the Indian Team for Sunday’s match vs New Zealand and the subsequent World Cup matches,” chief coach Coach Graham Reid stated.

“While the injury was not as severe as the initial incident suggested, time was not on our side and after our ongoing thorough rehabilitation process and functional and on-field assessment today, 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 completed second in Pool D, India might want to win towards New Zealand within the crossover match on Sunday to make the Quarterfinal.

India will tackle New Zealand on January 22.