Birthday is always happy occasion, but it was not so for our ‘Toofani’ Tushar Khandkar. The great forward, who scored the winning goal at the last Asian Games bronze medal match, faced misfortune on his birth day.
On last Tuesday, on his 27th birthday, even as his team mates had planned a bash in the night, he got injured in the evening session of trail, and had to be taken to hospital.
Luckily, there was an emergency ambulance at the National stadium which was driven upto the sidelines of main turf. He was taken to Safdurjung Hospital after initial treatment from team’s physio Shrikant Iyenkar. At the National sports injury centre in safdurjung, he was subjected to x-ray screening, which sounded a set back for Tushar.
The x-ray confirmed the team’s worst fears, he sustained a severe fracture on the ankle, and is ruled out for another two months.
Since then he has been advised for two-month bed rest, a leg in blaster. He is further advised not to walk, which meant bed rest for two months.
Talking to stick2hockey.com, Tushar confirmed his condition, and regretted he will miss the forthcoming Azlan Shah Cup.
“I was looking forward to this great tournament, I was feeling fresh in the camp. I have never encountered any serious injury like this one in my ten-year career. What to do? Now I have to go by the doctor’s advice”.
The ankle injury occurred as Tushar was rushing to stop a penalty corner hit of Diwakarram on day two of the camp.
It is worthwhile to mention Tushar has been our main rusher during the penalty corner defence, he has been daring with fast rush towards the hitter.
He was wearing shin guard, shoe, stockings etc, still the injury occurred.
Its only second time Tushar will be missing the Azlan. In 2008, he was leading the side in Australia Test series when at the same time another team was sent to Ipoh with AK Bansal as coach.
The IHF was dissolved when the Australian tour was underway, and the confusion that ensued, led him not sent to Ipoh (Malaysia), where he was otherwise supposed to join as per the original plan.
“Azlan Shah is an important tournament. All top teams are coming. I hope India will do better despite am ruled out. I wish the team a success”, said Tushar before signing off.