The Indian senior men's national hockey team will cross swords in a crunch 2023 Hockey World Cup game against New Zealand at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on January 22 (Sunday). India needed to beat Wales - eight places below them in world rankings - by a margin of eight goals to top Pool D and qualify directly for the quarterfinals but the home side could only notch up a 4-2 win on Thursday, as the forwards lacked in finishing.
India are now up against New Zealand in the must-win crossover match. The Black Sticks finished third in Pool C with a win and two losses. Currently ranked 12th in the world as against India's sixth position, New Zealand - who have never reached the semifinals - have also not done anything extraordinary in the tournament and the home side definitely would start as favourites in front of an expected jampacked Kalinga Stadium.
India's key midfielder Hardik Singh has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after he failed to recover from his hamstring injury sustained in the match against England on January 15.
Hardik's absence will be a big setback for India as they have been struggling in the attacking department, and considering the fact that they are expected to run into defending champions Belgium in the quarterfinals if they beat New Zealand.
Here are the live-streaming details of India vs New Zealand crossover match:
When will the Hockey World Cup crossover game between India vs New Zealand take place?
The Hockey World Cup crossover game between India vs New Zealand will take place on January 22 (Sunday), 2023.
Where will the Hockey World Cup crossover game between India vs New Zealand take place?
The Hockey World Cup crossover game between India vs New Zealand will take place at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
Where to watch the Hockey World Cup crossover game between India vs New Zealand?
The Hockey World Cup crossover game between India vs New Zealand will be telecasted Live on Star Sports First, Star Sports Select 2 HD and Star Sports Select 2 SD.
Where to watch the Hockey World Cup crossover game between India vs New Zealand online?
The Hockey World Cup crossover game between India vs New Zealand will be streamed on Hotstar.
Squads
India: Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Abhishek, Surender Kumar, Manpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Krishan Pathak, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, PR Sreejesh, Nilakanta Sharma, Shamsher Singh, Varun Kumar, Akashdeep Singh, Amit Rohidas, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Sukhjeet Singh.
New Zealand: Nic Woods (captain), Dom Dixon, Dane Lett, Simon Child, Nick Ross, Sam Hiha, Kim Kingston, Jake Smith, Sam Lane, Simon Yorston, Aidan Sarikaya, Joe Morrison, Leon Hayward, Kane Russell, Blair Tarrant, Sean Findlay, Hayden Phillips, Charlie Morrison.