Mid-fielder Salima Tete on Thursday changed veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia as captain of the 24-strong Indian girls’s hockey squad for the Belgium and England legs of the FIH Pro League beginning later this month.
Navneet Kaur has been named her deputy for the tour.
“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,” Salima was quoted as saying in a Hockey India press launch.
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“In the upcoming Belgium and England legs of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-2024, we look to put our strong foot forward. We have worked on areas where we needed to improve,” she mentioned.
Savita had captained India in the course of the failed Olympic qualifying marketing campaign and the professional league matches at dwelling after that.
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Barring three modifications, the squad was the identical that took half within the Bhubaneswar and Rourkela legs of the Pro League in February this 12 months.
Defender Gurjit Kaur, mid-fielders Sonika and Nisha and striker Beauty Dungdung have been dropped and have been changed by Mahima Chaudhary, Manisha Chauhan, Pretti Dubey and Deepika Soreng.
The matches in Belgium will start on May 22 and finish on May 26, whereas the England leg will begin on June 1 and conclude on June 9.
India will play in opposition to Argentina, and Belgium twice in the course of the first leg, beginning May 22 in opposition to Argentina.
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During the London leg, the staff will tackle Great Britain and Germany.
India are at present positioned sixth within the FIH Pro League desk with eight factors from as many matches.
Salima was just lately honoured with the distinguished Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr Award for Player of The Year within the girls’s class on the sixth Hockey India Annual Awards.
The goalkeeping obligations will relaxation with Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam, whereas the defensive line-up consists of Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Jyoti Chhatri and Mahima.
The midfield might be marshalled by Salima, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Navneet, Neha, Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha and Lalremsiami.
The ahead line boasts of Mumtaz Khan, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Preeti, Vandana Katariya, Sunelita Toppo and Deepika.
Navneet, who changed Vandana because the staff’s vice-captain mentioned, “It feels surreal to be named as the vice-captain. I am quite excited to get on with this team in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-24, where we will play quality teams.
“We have a good team and we are confident that we will do well in the Europe leg of the Pro League. I am also looking to work on my game and improve.”
Indian Women’s Hockey 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.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated news company feed – PTI)
Source: www.news18.com
