It is about balancing workload and rehab for Hardik

Indian midfielder Hardik Singh balances workload and rehab during Hockey India League after Olympic bronze medals, despite shoulder injury.

A key member of the Indian team that won successive Olympics bronze medals in Tokyo and Paris, midfielder Hardik Singh is striking a balance between his workload and rehab during the Hockey India League (HIL) here.

Hardik, who hurt his left shoulder after colliding with a Spanish player in the fourth quarter of the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics, missed the Asian Champions Trophy in Hulunbuir, China, and a two-Test series against Germany in Delhi while recovering from the injury.

“I went through rehab for four months. I played (a test event) with the development team (in Breda, the Netherlands). After the Olympics this is my first high tempo competition, it has been going well. There’s still some pain in my shoulder but I’m managing,” Hardik, dealing with his second major injury, told The Hindu. Before this, he suffered a hamstring injury in a pool match against England and was ruled out of the 2023 World Cup here.

Despite the workload, the UP Rudras captain is giving adequate attention to his rehab. “When there’s no match, I focus on my therapy and rehab sessions. Everyday, I spend half-an-hour with the physio and one hour for the rehab of my shoulder.”

Asked whether he would consider skipping some matches to protect his shoulder, the 26-year-old said, “It’s not so bad. I want to play all the 12 matches (including a semifinal and the final/bronze medal match). I’ll see how my shoulder responds.”

As the Rudras suffered its first loss (against Hyderabad Toofans) after winning two matches, Hardik adopted a practical approach. “It’s easy to point fingers at each other after a defeat. After the first two matches, our players complimented each other for the good work. We’re trying out different combinations. The main job is to qualify for the top four and then give 110 per cent,” said Hardik.