Hockey India announced the squad for the women's hockey team, participating in the 4 nations tournament starting on May 30, earlier today. Indian eves will take on Australia, New Zealand and Japan in the 4 Nations Tournament in Darwin, Australia, as a final springboard to the Rio Olympics.
Defender Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam will lead the 17-member Indian women's hockey team and said “It is a huge honour, to be named Captain of the squad for the tour. We have already faced Japan and New Zealand earlier, at the Hawke’s Bay Cup. Our chief aim will be to perform well against Japan and Australia and analyse their game at close quarters, since they are in our Pool at the Olympics.”
The squad also has seniors players like Poonam Rani and Vanadana Kataria form the core group besides a few youngsters in defender Nikki Pradhan and 18-year-old midfielder Preeti Dubey, who was named the Asunta Lakra Upcoming Player of the Year Award (Women U-21) at the second Hockey India Annual Awards earlier this year.
Squad: Goalkeepers: Savita, Rajani Etimarpu
Defenders: Deepika (Vice-Captain), Sunita Lakra, Nikki Pradhan, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam (Captain), Hnialum Lal Ruat Feli
Midfielders: Rani, Namita Toppo, Navjot Kaur, Monika Preeti Dubey, Renuka Yadav Forwards: Poonam Rani, Vandana Katariya, Anuradha Devi Thokchom, Lilima Minz.