Recently, Hockey India has announced the 33-member roster for the Indian women’s hockey team, who will be undergoing training in SAI Bangalore until May 16. This selection follows a rigorous assessment camp from April 1 to April 7, which resulted in a talent pool of 60 members. The chosen squad will be competing for a place in upcoming coaching camps and international exposure tours, including the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 where they will be facing tough adversaries such as Argentina, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain.
The team consists of goalkeepers Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki, and Madhuri Kindo, as well as defenders Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Ropni Kumari, Mahima Chaudhary, Jyoti Chhatri, and Preeti. The midfield sector will be managed by Salima Tete, Marina Lalramnghaki, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Jyoti, Edula Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Ajmina Kujur, and Nisha. Lastly, the forward positions are occupied by Mumtaz Khan, Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Navneet Kaur, Deepika Soreng, Preeti Dubey, Vandana Katariya, and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal.
Noteworthy is the inclusion of two young talents, 22-year-old Marina Lalramnghaki from Hockey Mizoram and 25-year-old Manisha Chauhan from Manipur Hockey. Additionally, the return of Preeti Dubey, who last played in the Hockey World League Semi Final in 2017, reflects her outstanding performance during the assessment camp. Furthermore, several players from the Junior Indian Women’s Hockey Team, including Madhuri Kindo, Ropni Kumari, Preeti, Edula Jyoti, Deepika Soreng, and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, have transitioned to the senior national team following their participation in the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023.
Hockey India’s High Performance Director, Herman Kruis, has conveyed his optimism for the new core group, highlighting the intensive selection process that has brought together the most promising players. Kruis stated, “The 14th Hockey India Senior Women’s National Championship was used to filter out the best hockey players from across the country, and over the last week the coaches and selectors have further handpicked the 33 players they believe have the potential to propel the Indian Women’s Hockey Team to greater heights. We now have a promising squad that will feature in the upcoming international tours and FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24.”
With this new core group in place, India’s women’s hockey team is preparing for a new era of fierce competition and unwavering determination. As they gear up to face off against world-class opponents, the team’s dedication and talent will undoubtedly carry them to greater heights in the world of international hockey.