Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, April 5: The 22-member Indian Women’s Hockey Team was announced by Hockey India for the FIH Hockey Pro League matches against World No. 1 Netherlands on April 8 and 9 at the historic Kalinga Hockey Stadium.
Savita will lead the team, while Deep Grace Ekka will serve as Vice Captain. While newcomers Mahima Choudhary and Aishwarya Rajesh Chavan have been added to the team, veteran striker Rani has been placed in the probables following a lengthy injury layoff. She hasn’t competed since last year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, where she captained the team to a remarkable fourth-place finish.
Goalkeepers Savita and Rajani Etimarpu, defenders Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Rashmita Minz, and Suman Devi Thoudam make up the Indian team for the double-header versus the Netherlands. Nisha, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Namita Toppo, Sonika, Neha, and Mahima Choudhary will play in the midfield.
Aishwarya Rajesh Chavan, Navneet Kaur, Rajwinder Kaur, Rani, and Mariana Kujur will make up the forward line. Upasana Singh, Preeti Dubey, and Vandana Katariya have also been nominated as backups.
“It’s great to be back on the field for our Hockey Pro League games vs the Netherlands after the disappointment of England not being able to visit. With our Juniors playing the Junior World Cup we have the opportunity to use the depth of our core group and I am excited to potentially see some new faces on the field making their debut in these games. Rani has also worked hard to be back in contention and if this training week goes well I hope we can play her in one of the games,” Chief Coach Janneke Schopman said.
The Indian Women’s team is presently fourth in the pool table, having played six matches so far, winning three and adding a point with a shootout victory. The Netherlands, on the other hand, has won five of their six matches and earned an extra point thanks to a shootout victory.
Indian squad:
Goalkeepers: Savita (Captain) and Rajani Etimarpu
Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (Vice-Captain), Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Rashmita Minz and Suman Devi Thoudam
Midfielders: Nisha, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Namita Toppa, Sonika, Neha and Mahima Choudhary
Forwards: Aishwarya Rajesh Chavan, Navneet Kaur, Rajwinder Kaur, Rani and Mariana Kujur
Standbys: Upasana Singh, Preeti Dubey and Vandana Katariya.
