Hockey World Cup: India pull out injured Hardik ahead of crucial crossover match

BHUBANESWAR: India suffered a huge blow ahead of Sunday's crucial crossover match against New Zealand in the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 when key midfielder Hardik Singh was ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury. Hardik Singh was the livewire in the midfield in India's first two matches in Pool D and sustained a hamstring injury during the clash with England on January 15. Having rested the youngster for the match against Wales, and subsequent assessment, Hardik has now been ruled out of the World Cup, Hockey India confirmed on Saturday.

Hockey India also informed that Hardik will be replaced by alternate player 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 Graham Reid said while talking about the decision made by the team management. IANS