New Delhi, 18 May (H.S.): Hockey India has announced the Indian women’s hockey team for the upcoming tour of Perth, Australia, scheduled from May 26 to May 30. The Indian team will play a four-match series during the tour, with matches set to be held on May 26, 27, 29, and 30 at the Perth Hockey Stadium.

The tour is being considered highly significant in preparation for the FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2025-26, which will take place in Auckland from June 15 to 21.

India heads into the tour after an encouraging performance against Argentina, where the team secured two victories in a four-match series. Since then, the squad has been undergoing intensive training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Bengaluru.

Salima Tete, a bronze medalist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, has been appointed captain of the team.

The squad features experienced players such as Savita, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalremsiami, and Navneet Kaur, while young talents including Sonam, Hina Bano, and Lalthantluangi have also been included.

In the forward line, Navneet Kaur will spearhead India’s attack alongside Baljeet Kaur, Deepika, Annu, Ishika, Hina Bano, and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal. Hina Bano has earned her maiden call-up to the senior national team.

In the goalkeeping department, Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam will shoulder responsibilities for the team.

The defensive line includes Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Choudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, and Shilpi Dabass, who has received her first senior team selection. Lalthantluangi has also been selected for the senior team for the first time.

In midfield, captain Salima Tete will be joined by Neha, Lalremsiami, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Deepika Soreng, and Sonam, who is yet to make her senior international debut.

Head coach Sjoerd Marijne said the selected squad reflects a healthy balance between experienced and young players.

“We have chosen a team that has a good mix of experienced and young players. Some players will get the opportunity to compete at the international level for the first time. The pressure of international matches is extremely important for player development, and this tour will be a wonderful opportunity for them to prove themselves,” he said.

He further added, “This tour is extremely important in preparation for the upcoming Nations Cup. I want the team to consistently reproduce the level of performance shown in the final two matches of the Argentina tour and bring greater consistency to its game.”

Goalkeepers:

Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam

Defenders:

Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Choudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, Shilpi Dabass

Midfielders:

Salima Tete, Lalremsiami, Neha, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Deepika Soreng, Sonam

Forwards:

Navneet Kaur, Baljeet Kaur, Deepika, Annu, Ishika, Hina Bano, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar