Hockey India names 20-member women’s team for Australia tour

Hockey India on Monday named a 20-member national women's team for a three-match series in Australia, to be held in Adelaide from May 18. They will also play two games against Australia 'A'. The tour will be part of the team's preparations ahead of the all-important Hangzhou Asian Games. The Indian team will be led by ace goalkeeper Savita Punia who was recently bestowed with the Balbir Singh Sr Hockey India Player of the Year (2022) Award. She will be assisted by Deep Grace Ekka as the team's vice captain.

Bichu Devi Kharibam is the second goalkeeper named in the squad with defenders Deep Grace Ekka, Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary, Udita and Gurjit Kaur. The midfielders include Nisha, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Salima Tete, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sonika, Jyoti, and Baljeet Kaur. India’s forward line will be spearheaded by the seasoned striker Vandana Katariya who has more than 250 international caps. She will be joined by Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari and Sharmila Devi. India will open the tour with their first match against Australia on May 18. The second and third matches will be played on May 20 and May 21, respectively. The Indian team will also play Australia 'A' on May 25 and 27. All five matches will be played at the Mate Stadium in Adelaide. The Australian women's hockey team is currently ranked third in the world while the Indian team is ranked eighth.