A change of guard has been ordered within the Indian girls’s hockey workforce as Salima Tete has changed Savita Punia as skipper after they didn’t qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Goalkeeper Savita, 33, had taken over the captaincy from Rani Rampal after the Tokyo Olympics the place the workforce completed an unprecedented fourth, lacking the bronze by a whisker three years in the past.
The choice has been taken holding in thoughts the long run which incorporates the World Cup and Asian Games, each in 2026, and most significantly the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 22-year-old Salima, who hails from Jharkhand, made her debut within the 2016 Test sequence towards Australia however solely grew to become an everyday member of the squad in 2019. Apart from successful bronze medals on the 2022 Asia Cup, 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2023 Asian Games,
the midfielder additionally helped India win the 2022 Nations Cup and 2023 Asian Champions Trophy.
In the 107 matches she has performed, India have ended up successful 54, dropping 29 and drawing 24. Salima was not too long ago honoured with the Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of The Year 2023 by Hockey India (HI).
“I am happy that I have been appointed to lead the team. It is a big responsibility and I am looking forward to this new role. We have a strong squad and it’s a mix of experienced and young players,” stated Salima.
She shall be supported by Navneet Kaur, who as changed the retired Deep Grace Ekka as vice-captain, as HI selected a 24-member squad that can head to Europe for the Pro League later this month. The 28-year-old Navneet, who usually performs as a ahead, shall be sharing the duties as an attacking midfielder this time round.
“In the upcoming Belgium and England legs of the Pro League, we look to put our strong foot forward. We have been training rigorously in the camp. We have worked on areas where we needed to improve. I am sure that we will put up good performances and get the results we desire.”
Though not skipper, Savita will proceed to don the tasks of a goalkeeper together with Bichu Devi Kharibam whereas the defensive line-up consists of Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Jyoti Chhatri and Mahima Chaudhary.
The midfield shall be marshalled by Salima, Navneet, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan and Lalremsiami. The ahead line may have Mumtaz Khan, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Preeti Dubey, Vandana Katariya, Sunelita Toppo and Deepika Soreng.
India have had a really odd present on the Pro League thus far, incomes solely two outright wins, one shootout victory and 5 losses to be positioned sixth out of 9 groups. India will play 4 matches towards Argentina and hosts Belgium in Antwerp from May 22
to 26 earlier than travelling to London the place they are going to face Germany and hosts Great Britain in one other 4 video games from June 1 to 9 to conclude the league.
“It feels surreal to be named as the vice-captain. I am quite excited to get on with this team in the Pro League where we will play quality teams. We have a good team and we are confident that we will do well in the Europe leg. I am also looking to work on
my game and improve. We had a camp in SAI, Bengaluru where we underwent high-intensity training and I am looking forward to the upcoming games,” stated Navneet.
India’s 24-member squad
Goalkeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Jyoti Chhatri, Mahima Chaudhary
Midfielders: Salima Tete (C), Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Navneet Kaur (VC), Neha, Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan, Lalremsiami,
Forwards: Mumtaz Khan, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Preeti Dubey, Vandana Katariya, Sunelita Toppo, Deepika Soreng
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
