Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, June 23: The 18 member Indian women’s hockey team that will play in the Commonwealth Games, which will start on July 28 in Birmingham, England, was announced by Hockey India on Thursday.
India will open their campaign on July 29 against the African team after being assigned in Pool A with England, Canada, Wales, and Ghana.
Savita Punia will serve as the team’s captain, and Deep Grace Ekka, a seasoned defender, will serve as vice-captain.
Savita and Rajani Etimarpu, two goalkeepers, are on the team. Defenders Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita have been named in the squad along with midfielders Nisha, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Neha, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur and Salima Tete.
The very skilled Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Sharmila Devi, and youngster Sangita Kumari make up the forwardline.
India placed fourth in their previous performance in the Gold Coast edition of the Commonwealth Games after falling to England in the bronze medal match. The Indian squad, though, is focused on a podium finish in Birmingham after a strong campaign in their inaugural FIH Pro League season, where they placed third behind champions Argentina and the Netherlands.
