Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Nov 9: The 20-person Indian team was announced on Wednesday for the women’s FIH Nations Cup hockey competition, which will be held in Valencia, Spain from December 11 to December 17.
Midfielder Navjot Kaur will play despite missing the Commonwealth Games earlier this year. Savita Punia, the team’s starting goalkeeper, will be assisted by veteran defender Deep Grace Ekka. The champions of the FIH Women’s Nations Cup will be promoted to the FIH Women’s Pro League for the 2023–2024 season, making it a significant event on the international calendar.
Pool A is made up of Ireland, Italy, Korea, and Spain, while Pool B is made up of Chile, Japan, South Africa, and India.
On the first day of the competition, India will face Chile in their opening match.
At the competition, the talented striker Beauty Dungdung will make her international debut, and the seasoned Navjot Kaur will rejoin the team after missing the Birmingham Commonwealth Games due to a COVID-19 infection.
Bichu Devi Kharibam serves as the team’s backup goalkeeper, and Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, and Ishika Chaudhary make up the defensive line.
Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Kharibam, Monika, Neha, Sonika, Jyoti, and Navjot Kaur will make up the midfield, while Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari, and Dungdung will make up the attacking line.
The Indian women placed third in their first game in the 2021–22 FIH Pro League, behind Argentina and the Netherlands, after winning bronze at the Birmingham CWG in August.
The Indians will have the chance to earn a spot in the FIH Pro League for the 2023–2024 season at the upcoming competition.
The Team: Goalkeepers: Savita (captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam.
Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (vice-captain), Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary.
Midfielders: Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Neha, Sonika, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur.
Forwards: Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari, Beauty Dungdung.
