~Savita will serve as Captain, while veteran forward Vandana Katariya has been named her deputy~
New Delhi, 27th January 2024: Hockey India, on Saturday, named a 24-member Indian Women’s Hockey Team for the Bhubaneswar and Rourkela legs of the FIH Pro League 2023-24. The Bhubaneswar leg will begin on 3rd February and end on 9th February while the Rourkela leg will commence on 12th February and last till 18th February.
India will take on the visiting teams, United States, the Netherlands, China, and Australia twice each across both legs, beginning their campaign against reigning Asian Games Champions China on 3rd February.
The Indian Women’s Hockey Team for the FIH Pro League 2023-24 comprises goalkeepers, Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam. Meanwhile, Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, and Jyoti Chhatri have been named as defenders in the squad.
Nisha, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Salima Tete, Sonika, Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, and Sunelita Toppo will feature in the midfield. The forwards in the squad are Mumtaz Khan, Beauty Dungdung, Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Vandana Katariya, and Sharmila Devi.
Experienced goalkeeper Savita has been chosen to lead the Indian Women’s Hockey Team as the Captain while veteran forward Vandana Katariya will serve as the Vice Captain for the FIH Pro League 2023-24.
“We have a few youngsters coming in for the FIH Pro League 2023-24. The league is of immense importance to us as the champions will secure their spot in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026. We will look to build upon the team chemistry and the squad is looking forward to facing some of the best teams in the world, in our backyard. The aim will be to begin our campaign on a strong note and continue to improve during the League,” the Indian Women’s Hockey Team Chief Coach Janneke Schopman commented on the squad selection.
Indian Women’s Hockey Team
GOALKEEPERS
1. Savita (C)
2. Bichu Devi Kharibam
DEFENDERS
3. Gurjit Kaur
4. Nikki Pradhan
5. Udita
6. Ishika Chaudhary
7. Monika
8. Jyoti Chhatri
MIDFIELDERS
9. Nisha
10. Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke
11. Neha
12. Navneet Kaur
13. Salima Tete
14. Sonika
15. Jyoti
16. Baljeet Kaur
17. Sunelita Toppo
FORWARDS
18. Mumtaz Khan
19. Beauty Dungdung
20. Lalremsiami
21. Sangita Kumari
22. Deepika
23. Vandana Katariya (VC)
24. Sharmila Devi
By Hockey India