New Delhi, Sept 04: Indian hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay today said the side will sorely miss the services of Jugraj Singh, who is recovering from injuries after a road accident in Jalandhar on Tuesday. "No one can take his place in the side. His contribution in the resurgence of the team in the last one and half year was immense. It is a big setback to the team since he was the livewire," Pillay told reporters at Appu Ghar, where he conducted a hockey clinic for school children along with teammate Gagan Ajit Singh.
"He has a never-say-die attitude and always inspire his teammates to play their best," Pillay said.
Jugraj was injured in an accident on Tuesday night when his car crashed into an electric post while returning home after having dinner at a local restaurant. The player suffered multiple fractures and was operated for seven hours in the DMC Hospital in Ludhiana.
Several players including Pillay paid a visit to Ludhiana yesterday to be at the side of the injured player, who has been ruled out of action for several months.
"His fighting spirit will see him through this bad phase. We hope he is be back in the field after the Asia Cup," said Pillay who rushed to Ludhiana from Pune yesterday after getting the news of the accident from his brother. Gagan Ajit Singh, who was Jugraj's captain in the Junior World Cup that India won in 2001, said Punjab player had the calibre to fight against all odds and emerge winner.
"He is the only four-in-one player in the side. He is good at not only taking penalty corners but is also the main defence against them. He is a very good defender and has the ability to pierce the opposition defence with some attacking game," said Gagan Ajit, who hogged the limelight in the recent Champions Trophy in Amstelveen along with Jugraj with some fine performances.
He was in favour of sending Jugraj abroad for further treatment.
Gagan Ajit also said all the team members are in touch with Jugraj and providing him moral support in his hour of distress. Bureau Report