s2h team
Experienced goalkeeper Savita will lead India’s 20-member team for the new FIH event the FIH Women’s Nations Cup. Rani Rampal, who was in the camp as a successful National Games campaigner, did not make it to the squad. The winner of the FIH Women’s Nations Cup will be promoted to the FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League’s 2023-2024 season. India are grouped in pool B along with Canada, Japan and South Africa. The other teams in the fray are Ireland, Italy, Korea and Spain who are grouped in pool A.
The durable duo of Savita & Deep Grace Ekka as captain and vice captain continues to hold the leadership role. Young forward Beauty Dungdung is all-set to make her international debut at the FIH Nations Cup while experienced midfielder Navjot Kaur returns to the squad after she missed out the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 after testing positive for Covid 19.
The team includes Bichu Devi Kharibam in the squad along with Savita as goalkeepers while Deep Grace will be joined by Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita and Ishika Chaudhary as defenders. Etimarpu Rajani, part of the Birmingham, is replaced with Bichu, who won the bronze at the Monchengladbach Jr World Cup 9 years ago.
Savita
The midfield will feature Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Kharibam, Monika, Neha, Sonika, Jyoti and Navjot Kaur while forwardline includes the experienced Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari and Beauty Dungdung.
The Indian women’s team, who recently won the Bronze medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, made their debut in the 2021-22 FIH Pro League. India put up an impressive campaign in their maiden appearance finishing behind Argentina and the Netherlands. The team will be looking to win the FIH Women’s Nations Cup to make their second FIH Pro League appearance in 2023-2024.
Speaking about the team, Indian Women’s Hockey Chief Coach Janneke Schopman said, “I’m very happy with the performance of the players in the camp. Our level is getting higher and the group is very competitive. It was difficult to pick 20 players but I believe this group will have a good chance to perform well and show what we have been working on.”
Indian Women’s Team:
Goalkeepers:
1. Savita (Captain)
2.Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders:
3. Deep Grace Ekka (Vice Captain)
4.Gurjit Kaur
5. Nikki Pradhan
6. Udita
7. Ishika Chaudhary
Midfielders:
8. Nisha
9. Salima Tete
10. Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam
11. Monika
12. Neha
13. Sonika
14. Jyoti
15. Navjot Kaur
Forwards:
16. Vandana Katariya
17. Lalremsiami
18. Navneet Kaur
19. Sangita Kumari
20. Beauty Dungdung