Injuries are a reality that no player can escape from. Talented Indian midfielder Devinder Walmiki is matured enough to understand that injuries are something no player can avoid no matter how hard one tries. The Mumbai youngster was forced to give the recently-concluded 25th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh a miss after being struck by a shoulder injury sustained during the 2016 Coal India Hockey India League.
“As a player you know injuries are bound to happen and you have to be just prepared for such situations. I got injured during the 2016 Coal India Hockey India League and hit the rehab program. I have been going through the rehab program for the last two months and pretty glad that I have fully recovered from my right shoulder injury,” says Devinder.
The 23-year-old youngster – who is the youngest brother of out-of-favour Indian striker Yuvraj Walmiki – attended the rehab camp in Bengaluru along with Birendra Lakra (who is also recuperating from an injury). The national team is taking a small break before they kick start their Olympic preparations with the next camp in Bengaluru from April 24 – a camp which is expected to run till May-end.
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Devinder is happy to attain full fitness and hopes to wear the national jersey soon. “Our camp starts in Bengaluru on Sunday – I’m really looking forward to it – I will keep working hard and win a berth in the upcoming tournaments, especially the Champions Trophy in June,” quips the youngster.
Devinder made his senior international debut at the 2015 Hockey World League Semifinal Round in Belgium, where he scored on his debut tie against France. Subsequently, he was part of the national team for the European Tour (toured France and Spain), New Zealand Test Series, Australia Test Series 2015 Hockey World League Final Round in Raipur.
Devinder has shown that he can be a utility player – he does a good job in defence, controls the midfield and rushes forward to help the forward line or zips in the razor-sharp crosses whenever needed.
The Champions Trophy in June could mark the comeback of Walmiki to the international scene.
