Hockey India, on Wednesday, named the 20-member Indian Women’s Hockey squad for the forthcoming ‘FIH Women’s Nations Cup’.
The FIH Women’s Nations Cup is a significant event in the international calendar, since it implements a promotion-relegation system, where the winners advance to the 2023–2024 FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League.
India is 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.
Savita has been named the Captain for the tournament, along with Deep Grace Ekka as the Vice Captain. Young forward Beauty Dungdung is gearing up to make her international debut at the FIH Nations Cup. In the meantime, experienced midfielder Navjot Kaur returns to the squad after she missed out on the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 after testing positive for COVID-19.
The team includes Bichu Devi Kharibam in the squad along with Savita as the goalkeeper. Besides, Deep Grace will join Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, and Ishika Chaudhary as defenders.
The midfield will feature Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Kharibam, Monika, Neha, Sonika, Jyoti, and Navjot Kaur. The forward line includes the experienced Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari, and Beauty Dungdung.
Speaking about the team, Indian Women’s Hockey Chief Coach Janneke Schopman said, “I am happy with the performance of the entire playing group in this 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.”
