Rupinderpal, Yuvraj injured

Injuries have ruled Rupinderpal Singh and Yuvraj Walmiki out of the Indian hockey camp that begins in New Delhi on Saturday, with the pair instead undergoing rehabilitation at the Sports Authority of India here in Bangalore.

Rupinderpal has a hairline fracture in the right femur bone, it was revealed, while Yuvraj is suffering from a hip injury. The two players were diagnosed last month and will not join the camp for at least a fortnight.

The Indian team is scheduled to play a five-Test series against South Africa in New Delhi, beginning on January 16, but Rupinderpal and Yuvraj are expected to be available to play only the final two of those.

“Their injuries are a bit of a concern for the Indian team,” team doctor Lt. Col. B.K. Nayak said. “They haven’t practised with the squad and will not be able to do so for another fortnight.

“Rupinder and Yuvraj were advised six and four weeks rest respectively. However, they have been cleared to play in mid-January and I am confident they will recover in time. So far, they have been responding well to the rehabilitation programmes and we are continuously monitoring their progress.”