Raghunath counting positives on injury-induced pullout

Raghunath

Injuries are a part of player’s career

Injuries can make a player frustrated at times, while at other times it can act as a spur to mount a comeback to the side. Vokkaliga Raghunath is seeing the ‘positives’ from his recent right hamstring injury, which forced him to give the upcoming second FIH Men’s Hockey World League Semifinals a ‘miss’ – paving the way for fellow drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh to be drafted in at the eleventh hour after the latter was not considered in the original 18-member squad.

The 27-year-old Coorg lad – a vastly experienced campaigner – two-time World Cupper (2006 and 2014), he has featured in two Asian Games (2006 and 2014) besides the 2012 London Olympics – agrees that every player has to be prepared for such eventualities.

“As a professional player, you have to be ready for such injuries as hockey is a tough game. Fortunately for me, it’s a just a mild hamstring injury and I’m going through the rehab and hope to be fit as a saddle soon,” Raghunath quips in an informal chat.

The Indian fullback, who is employed with Indian Oil, is bullish about a prompt comeback. “I’m doing the rehab in the desired manner and I believe it would take another three weeks before I starting training.”

Happy for Rupinder

He is happy to see Rupinder back in the side, albeit at his expense.

“Rupinder is a hard working guy and I’m sure he will do well in the Hockey World League Semifinals. He is a great team-mate to have and there is no doubt that he will deliver for India,” he heaps praise on his team-mate.

There are whispers that going into a Hockey World League Semifinals with one drag-flicker may be dicey, but Raghunath brushes aside such thoughts.

“We have worked on penalty corner variations during our recent training camp and you will see more indirect attempts made off short corners. I really don’t think having only one drag-flicker will be a disadvantage for us.”

Raghunath is among three Indians, who sustained injuries on the eve of the team’s departure for Belgium for Hockey World League Semifinals and had to miss the big-ticket event. Speedy forward SV Sunil is out with a shin injury, while Kothajit Singh is out with an ankle injury.