India vs Wales Live, Hockey World Cup 2023: Team news and line-up coming up soon
Hardik Singh, India’s rockstar, is fine; Harmanpreet’s form remains a worry as must-win game against Wales lies ahead
Indian Hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and Hardik Singh share a light moment during their training session on the eve of the match against England at FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023, in Rourkela, Odisha. (PTI)
As if to show he is no longer in pain, Hardik Singh bounces a football on the turf a couple of times and – aware that the cameras are following him – launches a flat cross-field pass that would’ve made any footballer worth his salt proud. And to really drive home his point, he looks across, smiles and leaves without saying a lot. Like most of the last week, he let his skills do the talking.
Against England on Friday, India’s best outfield player so far in the World Cup had left the field wincing in pain and clutching at his right hamstring. At that moment, it felt like his tournament was done. India coach Graham Reid, too, thought for a moment he’d lost a player who, with his prancing runs combined with wry stick-work that’s a throwback to the yesteryears, has sparked the attacks. [Read more]