The Indian team will compete in its group stage games at Amstelveen, Netherlands, and if they win their group, they will also compete in the quarterfinals there before traveling to Terrassa, Spain for the semifinals and final based on knockout stage qualification.
The 18-member Indian women’s hockey team was announced by Hockey India on Tuesday in preparation for the eagerly anticipated FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup, which will take place in Spain and the Netherlands from July 1–17, 2022. India, which is placed in Pool B with England, New Zealand, and China, will start their campaign against England on July 3rd. India lost the bronze medal to England at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
The Indian team will be Captained by ace goalkeeper Savita and Vice Captained by Deep Grace Ekka.
Goalkeepers Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam are a part of the 20-person team. Along with midfielders Nisha, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Neha, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur, Sonika, and Salima Tete, defenders Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, and Udita have been picked to the squad.
The very seasoned Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, and Sharmila Devi make up the forward line. Akshata Abaso Dhekale and Sangita Kumari, two potential emerging stars, have been picked as replacement players.
The Indian Team advanced to the quarterfinals of the famous quadrennial competition hosted in London’s previous edition, however they fell to Ireland in a shootout after a scoreless regulation period. Ireland advanced to the World Cup Final and finished their campaign with a Silver Medal after defeating India 3-1 in the shootout.
Speaking about the team selection, Chief Coach Janneke Schopman said,
“We have chosen the best squad for the World Cup. It is a mix of experience and young talent who have shown great promise when they were given a chance against top teams in the FIH Pro League.”
“Except Rani, who is still not fully recovered from injury rehabilitation, the team has all the players who were part of the Olympic campaign with inclusions like Jyoti and Sonika who have done well in their roles when given a chance. We will also have Sangita and Akshata who will travel with the team as replacement players. The team is absolutely excited and eager to begin their World Cup campaign and we will utilize the next ten days to fine tune our game basis analysis from Pro League performances,”
Schopman
The Indian team will compete in its group stage games at Amstelveen, Netherlands, and if they win their group, they will also compete in the quarterfinals there before travelling to Terrassa, Spain for the semifinals and final based on knockout stage qualification. Spain will host the pool B crossover contests.
Indian Women’s Team for FIH Women’s World Cup:
Goalkeepers:
1. Savita (C)
2. Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders:
3.Deep Grace Ekka (VC)
4.Gurjit Kaur
5.Nikki Pradhan
6.Udita
Midfielders:
7. Nisha
8. Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam
9. Monika
10. Neha
11. Jyoti
12. Navjot Kaur
13. Sonika
14. Salima Tete
Forwards:
15. Vandana Katariya
16. Lalremsiami
17. Navneet Kaur
18. Sharmila Devi
Replacement Players:
19. Akshata Abaso Dhekale
20.Sangita Kumari
