Jugraj Singh available for India vs England Hockey World Cup game, gets stick clearance

Jugraj had a breakout Hockey India League season in 2024-25, where his 12 goals led Rarh Bengal Tigers to the title. | Photo Credit: Hockey India

Defender Jugraj Singh, who missed India’s opening FIH Men’s World Cup 2026 game against Wales due to injury, will be available for the key Pool-D encounter against England on Monday.

Jugraj had been left out of the 18-man squad in the 3-1 victory on Saturday, but has recovered in time for the potential pool-topping clash against the world No. 2 side.

“He had a muscle strain, but he is fit now,” a highly-placed official told Sportstar.

Jugraj has also received clearance for his stick from the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) Technical Committee, after it was earlier reported that his key equipment failed to meet the playing conditions criteria.

Players had to undergo mandatory stick checks before the World Cup opener to ensure they are not “unsafe or likely to have a detrimental impact on playing the game.”

According to the source, Jugraj’s stick has now passed the inspection after the previous one was not cleared for its blade dimensions.

Jugraj, 29, is a key member of this team, who is an able back-up to skipper Harmanpreet Singh from Penalty Corners. Of his 39 goals in 112 senior appearances, 27 have come from short corners. He had a breakout Hockey India League season in 2024-25, where his 12 goals led Rarh Bengal Tigers to the title.