Hardik was helped off the pitch in the last quarter of India’s goal-less draw against England last Sunday. But when the news of him missing the crucial next match against Wales filtered in, India’s World Cup campaign seemed to have received a jolt.
But nerves eased a bit on Tuesday when Hardik walked out during India’s practice session.
“It’s a mild strain, nothing to do with the hamstring, so I am okay,” he said on the sidelines of pitch 2 of the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
India shifted base from the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela to Bhubaneswar for their last game of Pool D against Wales on January 19.
England and Spain, the other two teams in Pool D, will also play at the Kalinga, when they face each other on January 19 as well.
“I am doing some strengthening exercises, hope to return after the match against Wales,” said Hardik, who scored India’s second goal in the 2-0 win over Spain.
India are currently second in Pool D, behind England on goal-difference but level on points (3 each). The last two matches in the pool will decide who ends up on top for a direct qualification to the quarterfinals.
Earlier on Tuesday, Hockey India had said that Hardik “will undergo an MRI” and based on the results, the team management will assess the extent of the injury. It added that “at the moment no replacement request has been put forward to the FIH”.
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