The Indian women’s hockey team might be hoping to beat powerful opposition and damage setbacks because it chases a World Cup spot on the Asia Cup in Hangzhou from September 4 to fifteen.
The 20-member squad named for the continental occasion on Thursday had two conspicuous absentees — goalkeeper and veteran Savita Punia and skilled midfielder Sushila Chanu — each out with main accidents. While Savita has an ankle damage that bought aggravated throughout coaching lately, Sushila has been battling recurring knee damage.
In their absence, captain Salima Tete should shoulder further strain whereas Bichu Devi, long-time understudy to Savita, might be hoping to lastly come out of the shadows of her senior colleague and show herself in a serious competitors. Also, Udita has returned for her first outing since marriage and might be anticipated to shore up the defence.
Unlike the boys, it will be a more durable ask for the Indian girls to complete on high of the competitors with Paris Olympics silver medallist and world no. 4 China, the host, and world no. 12 Japan possible hurdles. India has been drawn in Pool B with Japan, Thailand and Singapore; China, Malaysia, Korea and Chinese Taipei in Pool A. While making the top-two in its personal group is probably not troublesome, reaching the ultimate and profitable will probably be a more durable problem.
“The group has been training with great intensity and we have tried to strike the right balance between experienced campaigners and young talent. Our focus will be on playing an aggressive and disciplined brand of hockey. Every match will test our composure, fitness, and tactical execution. The players are motivated to rise to the occasion,” coach Harendra Singh mentioned.
The squad: Goalkeepers: Bansari Solanki, Bichu Devi Kharibam; defenders: Manisha Chauhan, Udita, Jyoti, Suman Devi Thoudam, Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary; midfielders: Neha, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Salima Tete, Sharmila Devi, Lalremsiami, Sunelita Toppo; forwards: Navneet Kaur, Rutaja Pisal, Beauty Dungdung, Mumtaz Khan, Deepika, Sangita Kumari.
