India title 24-member workforce for Hockey FIH Women’s Pro League

India, on Saturday, May 21, named a robust 24-member girls’s hockey workforce for the European leg of the FIH Pro League video games in June in Netherlands and Belgium. The workforce might be captained by the 31-year-old Sirsa-born Savita Punia.

The workforce will play six matches from June 11 to 22 forward of the Women’s World Cup to be held within the Netherlands and Spain from July 1 to 17.

The Women in Blue are set to play hosts Belgium on June 11 and 12 in Antwerp after which they are going to shift base to Rotterdam to lock horns with Argentina on June 18 and 19. Thereafter, Punia and Co and Co. will face the USA on June 21 and 22.

Punia will proceed to steer the workforce even after striker Rani Rampal’s probably return after the latter made her final look at Tokyo Olympics final yr.

Earlier, Rani was affected by a hamstring harm after which she underwent rehabilitation. She was beforehand named within the Indian squad for the final two video games of the Pro League in Bhubaneswar towards the Netherlands, however she failed to participate.

Veteran defender Deep Grace Ekka has been named because the vice captain of the workforce. The workforce additionally consists of World Cup stars like Ishika Chaudhary, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Baljeet Kaur, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Sangita Kumari and Deepika.

Rajini Etimarpu, Mahima Chaudhary and Rajwinder Kaur have been named as standbys.

Speaking in regards to the workforce, head coach Janneke Schopman said, “This is going to be a very important leg of Pro League matches in Europe as it will give us insights into our progress ahead of the World Cup in July.

“These matches are going to be essential in additionally finalizing our workforce for the World Cup,” Schopman mentioned.

The Indian workforce is at present positioned second within the standings after Argentina with 22 factors from eight video games with 4 wins, three attracts and one loss.

Team India

Goalkeepers: Savita (captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam

Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (vice-captain), Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Akshata Abaso Dhekale

Midfielders: Nisha, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Neha, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur, Sonika, Salima Tete, Baljeet Kaur

Forwards: Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Sharmila Devi, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Rani.