Times of India: Rani Rampal to lead Indian women’s hockey team at Commonwealth Games

NEW DELHI: Striker Rani Rampal will head Indian women hockey’s 18-member squad at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The Indian team is grouped in Pool A along with Malaysia, England, South Africa and Wales – against whom they’ll begin their campaign on April 5.

Experienced goalkeeper Savita Punia will shoulder the duties of vice-captain as she makes a return to the team after having been rested for the recently concluded tour of South Korea. Savita, 27, will be accompanied by Rajani Etimarpu in goal while the defence unit is packed with experience and grit as Deepika, Sunita Lakra, Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur and Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam will look to keep out the opposition’s attacks.

Chief Coach Harendra Singh welcomed Savita’s inclusion in the squad and believed his team can cause huge upsets against higher-ranked opponents on the back of winning the five-match series in South Korea 3-1.

“Savita is an integral part of the team and brings a lot of experience in goal for us. She has played over 200 matches for her country and has performed in crucial matches of big tournaments. Therefore, it is good to have her back in the team as she helps the defensive and offensive players as well by imparting her expertise,” Harendra said.

“We have played with the same set of players for a long period so the players have formed a great understanding between themselves which was evident during our 2017 Asia Cup triumph. The team also performed well in South Korea to beat a higher-ranked side and we will be looking to cause a few upsets and aim for the podium as the morale is high going into the prestigious Gold Coast 2018 XXI Commonwealth Games.”

The women’s hockey team infamously won the Gold Medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in England after defeating the hosts 3-2 after extra-time in the final match, and won the silver medal in the subsequent 2006 Commonwealth Games in Australia as they lost in the Final to the hosts. However, the team has only managed to finish fifth in the 2010 and 2014 editions of the quadrennial tournament.

Skipper Rani although, is confident that her team can repeat the feat of 2002 and 2006 in Australia.

“We go into the tournament in good form after winning the series in South Korea and while we have only finished fifth in the two previous occasions, this time we will look to finish on the podium as we have a great set of players with a mixture of experience and youth. The team’s hunger to win will certainly be a key factor in us performing well at the Games,” Rani said.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Savita Punia (VC), Rajani Etimarpu

Defenders: Deepika, Sunita Lakra, Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam

Midfielders: Monika, Namita Toppo, Nikki Pradhan, Neha Goyal, Lilima Minz

Forwards: Rani Rampal (C), Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navjot Kaur, Navneet Kaur, Poonam Rani