Hockey India announced the 33-member Indian Women’s Hockey Team on Monday, which will continue training in SAI Bangalore until May 16. The 60-member assessment squad, reporting on April 1, underwent selection trials on April 6 and 7 to finalize the present squad.
This selected group will vie for spots in future coaching camps and international exposure tours. The team is slated to travel to Antwerp and London for the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24, facing Argentina, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain.
The core squad includes goalkeepers Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki, and Madhuri Kindo. Defenders Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Ropni Kumari, Mahima Chaudhary, Jyoti Chhatri, and Preeti make up the defensive lineup.
In midfield, players like Salima Tete, Marina Lalramnghaki, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Jyoti, Edula Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Ajmina Kujur, and Nisha have been selected. The forward line includes Mumtaz Khan, Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Navneet Kaur, Deepika Soreng, Preeti Dubey, Vandana Katariya, and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal.
Notable inclusions are Marina Lalramnghaki and Manisha Chauhan, representing Hockey Mizoram and Manipur Hockey respectively. Preeti Dubey returns to the national setup after her last appearance in 2017, impressing selectors during the assessment camp.
Additionally, several players have stepped up from the Junior Indian Women’s Hockey Team, showcasing the talent pipeline’s strength.
Hockey India’s High-Performance Director Herman Kruis expressed optimism about the new core group, anticipating their impact on upcoming international tours and the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24.
Indian Women’s Hockey Team:
Goalkeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki, Madhuri Kindo
Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Ropni Kumari, Mahima Chaudhary, Jyoti Chhatri, Preeti
Midfielders: Salima Tete, Marina Lalramnghaki, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Jyoti, Edula Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Ajmina Kujur, Nisha
Forwards: Mumtaz Khan, Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Navneet Kaur, Deepika Soreng, Preeti Dubey, Vandana Katariya, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal