Ramandeep out as India gear up for Oz challenge
BREDA (NETHERLANDS): India hockey team striker Ramandeep Singh has been ruled out of the ongoing Champions Trophy due to a knee injury, dealing a blow after the bright start to their campaign.
India are on a high after thumping Pakistan 4-0 and edging out Rio Olympics champions Argentina 2-1, but they will be without the seasoned player’s services when they taken on Australia on Wednesday.
“Ramandeep complained about a pinch in his right knee at half-time during our match against Pakistan.
But when we rested him for the Argentina match and took an MRI on Monday, it revealed he has sustained a full thickness condral fracture-injury in the centre of his right knee,” India chief coach Harendra Singh said.
India also face formidable Belgium and Netherlands in mustwin matches to qualify for the final of a tournament they have not won.
Ramandeep provided the spark in India’s comprehensive win over Pakistan in the opening match by scoring the first goal. He also assisted Lalit Upadhyay in the 60th minute. Harendra was confident the rest of the squad would overcome the setback of being one man down.
“We will certainly miss him, we missed him against Argentina too. He is an experienced player and the way he creates space and takes shots on goal has worked for the team. Playing high speed hockey with 17 players can get a bit tiring for the players. But that should not be a deterrent in our pursuit to earn a place in the final,” he said.However, India would like to continue their giantslaying spree when they take on world champions Australia in their third match. India are leading the six-team standings with six points from two wins, just ahead of Australia (4 points).
The Commonwealth Games debacle behind them, the Indians have come out with new vigour and purpose here.
While the Indian strikers have looked in imperious form, scoring brilliant field goals, the backline, the team’s perennial concern, has also produced a stellar show and was rock solid against Pakistan and Argentina.
Young Dilpreet Singh has been phenomenal upfront along side Mandeep Singh, SV Sunil and Lalit Upadhayay.
The midfield, under the talismanic Sardar Singh, too rose to the occasion and has been building good link-ups with the forwards, resulting in the field goals.
But the Kookaburras would not be easy to edge past given their record of rising to big challenges effortlessly. Australia drew 3-3 with Belgium before beating Pakistan 2-1 to garner four points.
And when it comes to playing against India, they have always managed to be at their best.