Mandeep Singh limps off after knock to knee ahead of India vs New Zealand HWC 2023 clash

The hosts had earlier lost Hardik Singh to a hamstring injury.

India’s injury woes continue to grow going into the knockout stages of the men’s Hockey World Cup 2023. After midfielder Hardik Singh was ruled out from the tournament with a hamstring injury, experienced striker Mandeep Singh, on Saturday, limped off after a knock to his knee during the close practice session. There is no official statement out yet from the officials on the injury.

Mandeep Singh played a massive role in the final third by creating opportunities and also in the finish. The attacker from Punjab has been a vital member of the Indian team. He has created many penalty corner opportunities in the first three pool games. After the end of the pool stages, Mandeep Singh has the third-highest circle entries (17). However, he couldn't convert them into goals but rather created chances.

The combination of Akashdeep Singh and Mandeep Singh was one of the positives from the third pool game against Wales. Their combination has in the past disturbed many defensive units. Mandeep Singh was the second-highest goalscorer for India in the 2022 season with 11 goals. However, he is yet to open his account at the World Cup. Although the striker hasn't scored any goal he has made his presence felt by “deceiving the defenders” an art at which not many can excel. 

Earlier, the hosts lost Hardik Singh due to a hamstring injury, which the midfielder sustained in the goalless draw against England in India's second Pool D game. He missed the 4-2 win over Wales, and was eventually ruled out from the remainder of the tournament. Alternate player Rajkumar Pal has been named a replacement for the injured midfielder.

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 the subsequent World Cup matches.

“While the injury was not as severe as the initial incident suggested, time was not on our side. 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.

Overall India has the second most circle entries (76) only behind the Netherlands at 82 but hasn't converted them into goals. India will play New Zealand in the crossover and are the favourites going into the match. A win here will take the hosts to the quarter-finals where they will meet defending champions Belgium.