Injuries force sweeping chances in Indian hockey team for European tour

Injury forced Manpreet Singh out of the squad for the European tour

The 21-member senior Indian men’s hockey team for the upcoming European tour saw sweeping changes and some of it can be attributed to injuries, which has had a ‘big say’ in effecting the national team balance in recent months. Talented midfielder Manpreet Singh has been kept out of the squad as he grapples with a shin injury. It is learnt that the head coach and the selectors wanted to play ‘safe’ and not risk Manpreet since he is a key operator in the midfield as well as in other positions.

The 23-year-old youngster was not included in the team for the European tour as a precautionary measure as the team management wants to give him adequate time to sort out his injury as shin injury can be a prolonged affair.

“The team management has seen in the case of Akashdeep Singh earlier how he took a long while to recover from his shin injury. Having factored that, it was decided that Manpreet should be given a longer time for his rehab so that he is fit as a fiddle and we can’t take any chance with the Rio Olympics only a year away,” said a source close to the team.

Manpreet is also joined by forward Dharamvir Singh on the injury list – the burly Jaypee Punjab Warriors player sustained a groin injury as well a stomach muscle injury. Both Manpreet and Dharamvir are expected to be fully fit for the next national camp after the team returns from the European tour.

Talwinder Singh and Mohd Amir Khan get chances

Earlier, India had to play in the Hockey World League Semifinal Round in Belgium sans the experienced trio of Kothajit Singh, Vokkaliga Raghunath and SV Sunil on account of diverse injuries. Kothajit suffered an ankle injury, Sunil suffered a shin injury while Raghunath sustained a hamstring injury. The return of these guys meant that Gurmail Singh, Yuvraj Singh and Gurbaj Singh had to be kept out with the latter, of course, out on disciplinary grounds. Striker Nikkin Thimmaiah has been rested so that he can work on his game.

“The coach and the selectors felt that Nikkin was inconsistent in Belgium and thought a break would do a world of good to his confidence,” said a source.

Meanwhile, Mandeep Singh has staged a comeback after recuperating from an injury, while the likes of Talwinder Singh and Mohd Amir Khan will look to make an impression on the European tour and cement their place in the national side.

“Both are talented guys and deserve the call-ups. We hope they make the most of their opportunities,” sources close to the selectors said.

Injuries have rocked the national team in recent months and the positive augury about such injuries is that ‘replaced guys’ get an opportunity to prove their worth.