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There seems to be no end to injury worries for the Indian men’s hockey team.
The Blueshirts, who already have the likes of Danish Mujtaba and Gurwinder Singh Chandi on the casualty list, are going to miss the services of talented striker Akashdeep Singh for the upcoming 9th Asia Cup which is slated to be held in Ipoh, Malaysia from August 24.
The 18-year-old Akashdeep, who is rated very highly by current head coach Roelant Oltmans, has been ruled out because of a recurring shin injury.
The youngster, who trained with national probables at the SAI South Centre in Bengaluru after opting out, is expected to be out of action for at least a month.
The injury to Akashdeep is a big blow to the Indian forwardline.
With Danish Mujtaba and Gurwinder Singh Chandi recovering from injuries, the team’s strike force looks less lethal with the experienced Shivendra Singh also not picked in the probables.
There is no doubt that Akashdeep, who made his senior international debut during the 2012 FIH 34th Champions Trophy in Melbourne last December, would have been handy upfront given the fact that the team is missing many regulars.
Considering the importance of the Asia Cup, which is India’s last opportunity to seal a 2014 World Cup berth, India desperately needs some experience upfront.
SV Sunil is the only forward with fair amount of experience.
It won’t be a bad idea if the national hockey selectors call up Shivendra Singh or even Tushar Khandker for such an important event, as no hockey lover would want their team not to be at the 2014 World Cup after the wooden spoon finish at the 2012 London Olympics.
According to Hockey India sources, Akashdeep has played a few times carrying injuries and has been advised to recover fully before returning to competitive action.
The Punjab lad could realistically see himself in the national fold in the Asian Champions Trophy later this year, the venues and dates for which are yet to be announced.
