FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 : A successful MRI scan will decide this Midfielder’s availability for India

After a resounding start to the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023, India suffered a major blow after their goalless draw against England 2 days ago. Midfielder Hardik Singh is reportedly out of contention to start against Wales during India’s final and most important group stage fixture on 19th January.

Hockey World Cup 2023: Mid-fielder Hardik Singh unlikely for match against Wales

Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/YhyK8hkHMZ#HockeyWorldCup #FIH #HockeyIndia #HI #HardikSingh pic.twitter.com/CDgGI7cwNJ

— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) January 16, 2023

He has sustained an hamstring injury while playing against the Three Lions. The injury did not look good as Hardik Singh was stretched off the field for further treatment. Doubts over his selection were raised yesterday and today Hockey India indicated that only a near perfect MRI Scan will decide his availability for the next stage of the World cup.

Just to mention he was also a crucial part of the Olympic Bronze winning Indian team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

2️⃣nd try……3️⃣rd goal!

Hardik Singh’s precision in finding the back of the net on a rebound save by #GBR's keeper helped #IND score the all-important third goal! 👏#Tokyo2020 | #StrongerTogether | #UnitedByEmotion | #BestOfTokyo | @TheHockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/hgmFCEi7Ds

— Olympic Khel (@OlympicKhel) August 1, 2021

India are scheduled to lock horns with already eliminated Wales in final Group D game. The European side remained winless in both of their group games – conceding 10 goals in total, 5 against England and Spain each. And India have a must win game here as a high margin victory could see them end the group stages at the top.

The hosts could not have played any better in their first game against Spain where they won by 2-0. Amit Rohidas and Hardik Singh’s goals were enough to make a difference.

Against England though the deadlock could not be broken but kudos to India’s defense which stopped a side like England from scoring.

One of the key players in the team is midfielder Hardik Singh, who doubled India’s lead through an outstanding solo goal against Spain. He has been a massive addition the side as he is the Lynch pin of the Indian midfield department and has fulfilled every criteria of Graham Reid’s style of play.

The 24-year-old has been a key player for India in both the matches – pressing high, initiating moves and also helping in the defense. His exclusion against Wales could be a point of difference.

And if his Hamstring injury is worse than expected, Hardik will be ruled out from the entire tournament itself. All depends upon his MRI Scan – if it is positive then no problem for India but if it is negative, then Graham Reid could turn into a reserve player – most notably Rajkumar Pal who also plays in the same position.

India’s key midfielder Hardik Singh picked up a HAMSTRING INJURY in the 0-0 draw against England. Coach Graham Reid says it’s not looking good 😭#HockeyWorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/B6gtbJ6KR6

— ESPN India (@ESPNIndia) January 15, 2023

But the question is will he be able to be as efficient as Hardik Singh? And will any other player understand the intensity of the later stages of the tournament and help India go all the way to podium finish? All of it will be answered soon. Stay tuned for latest updates on Hardik Singh.