New Delhi, 19 November 2021: Indian women’s hockey’s superstar Rani Rampal has been rested from the  18-member Indian Women’s Hockey Team for the upcoming Donghae Women’s Asian Champions Trophy (5 – 12 December 2021).

Goalkeeper Savita will lead the side with defender Deep Grace Ekka as her deputy. The team includes goalkeeper Rajani Etimarpu and defenders Udita, Nikki Pradhan, Gurjit Kaur, who were all part of the Tokyo Olympics squad. The midfield includes Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Nisha, Monika, Neha, Jyoti who played for India in their historic fourth place finish at the Tokyo Olympics. Namita Toppo who was the alternate player at the Tokyo Olympics as well as her state-mate from Odisha Lilima Minz are also part of the team. The forward line will see two-time Olympian Vandana Katariya lead the charge with Navneet Kaur who was part of the Tokyo Olympic squad. Forwards Rajwinder Kaur, Mariana Kujur and Sonika too have been named in the team.

Navjot Kaur and youngster Suman Devi Thoudam have been chosen as alternate players (Ap) who will be permitted to play only if there is an injury or someone in the 18-member squad is ruled out of the tournament due to Covid-19.

Chief Coach for Indian Women’s Hockey Team Janneke Schopman said: “Despite some unfortunate injuries and Senior players joining the Junior team for the Junior World Cup in South Africa, I feel we have selected a good team for the upcoming Women’s Asian Champions Trophy. This tournament will be a good opportunity for some young new players to get a taste of the highest international level and I’m excited to see if we can implement our training themes consistently.”

“I’m sure that expectations are high after our success at the Tokyo Olympics but we all start at zero again. I am confident that we can show our abilities and will be looking for our team to play consistently at a high pace,” Schopman added.

While India will play their opening match against Thailand on 5 December, they play Malaysia on 6 December and hosts and defending Champions Korea in their third match on 8 December. India plays China on 9 December and Japan on 11 December. The Final will take place on 12 December between the topper of the pool and the team that finished second in the pool.

In the previous edition held in 2018, India finished runners-up behind Korea.

The team:

Goalkeepers

1. Savita (Captain)

2. Rajani Etimarpu

Defenders

3. Deep Grace Ekka (Vice Captain)

4. Udita

5. Nikki Pradhan

6. Gurjit Kaur

Midfielders

7. Nisha

8. Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam

9. Namita Toppo

10. Monika

11. Neha

12. Jyoti

13. Lilima Minz

Forwards

14. Navneet Kaur

15. Vandana Katariya

16. Rajwinder Kaur

17. Mariana Kujur

18. Sonika