A RevSportz Exclusive
The Indian Women’s Hockey Team departed from Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on the morning of May 28, marking the start of their European campaign in the FIH Pro League 2024-25 (Women).
The team will be based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, for training until June 8, after which they will move to London, UK, for their first four fixtures—two each against Australia and Argentina. They are set to face the Australian Women’s Team on June 14 and 15, followed by clashes with the Argentine Women’s Team on June 17 and 18.
Next, the squad will head to Antwerp, Belgium, on June 19 for back-to-back matches against the Belgian National Team on June 21 and 22. The European leg will wrap up in Berlin, Germany, with two matches against China on June 28 and 29.
The team, under head coach Harendra Singh, recently played a five-match test series against Australia in Australia, where they won the last match with a solitary goal from forward Navneet Kaur. Kaur was announced as the vice-captain along with Salima Tete for the upcoming European tour.
To discuss preparations for the Pro League and other topics, RevSportz spoke with Kaur. Here are the excerpts.
Australia Tour: Reflections and Learnings
Rohan Chowdhury: Navneet, first question—how was the overall experience of the Australian Tour? And what were the key areas where you felt that the team could still improve?
Navneet Kaur: The Australia Tour was a great experience, especially because many of our young players got the opportunity to play at the international level. It was important for their growth, and I feel it will help them settle well into the team for the future.
As for improvement, I think we need to work more on our understanding of the game. When new players come in, there are always some coordination challenges, but we’ve been addressing that, and we aim to improve further in the Pro League.
Scoring the Winning Goal in Australia
Rohan Chowdhury: And the goal you scored in the last match of the tour, which we won 1-0—how was that moment for you personally?
Navneet Kaur: It felt really good. We improved with every match on the tour, and scoring in a winning game is always special. More than anything, it was a proud moment because it helped India finish the tour on a positive note.
Pro League Preparation
Rohan Chowdhury: How is the preparation going for the Pro League now? What’s the team’s main focus in the current camps?
Navneet Kaur: We went straight into camp after the Australian tour and focused on the areas where we lacked understanding. Since the Pro League has back-to-back matches, we’ve structured our training accordingly—playing two matches, then a rest day, and again two matches. We’ve especially worked on conditioning and fitness so we’re physically ready for such a schedule
Spotlight on Mahima Tete
Rohan Chowdhury: Several young players were tested during the Australian tour, including Mahima Tete. What are your thoughts on her performance and potential?
Navneet Kaur: Mahima is a very promising player. She has great speed and good skills. Although she’s new to the team and still learning our game structure, she’s eager to improve. She often seeks feedback from seniors which shows her dedication. I truly believe she can become a top player in the future.
Also Read: Mahima Tete: Our parents are proud of us, two sisters representing the national team
Challenges in the Upcoming Pro League Leg
Rohan Chowdhury: In the Bhubaneswar leg of the Pro League, the team secured 9 points with two wins and two draws—including a shootout win against the Netherlands. In the upcoming leg, we’ll face strong teams like Australia, Argentina, Belgium, and China. What are your thoughts on these challenges?
Navneet Kaur: We’ll be starting with a match against Australia, so our recent tour has helped us understand how to play against them. As for the other teams—Argentina, Belgium, China—we’ve faced them before, and we’re preparing well. We still have eight matches left in the league, and our aim is to collect as many points as possible. The preparations and lessons from the Australian tour will definitely be helpful.
Team Bonding and Leadership
Rohan Chowdhury: As part of the leadership group, how do Salima (Tete) and you (as captain and vice-captain) keep the squad motivated? How is the chemistry between senior and junior players?
Navneet Kaur: The bonding in the team is really good. It doesn’t matter who’s senior or junior—we all support each other. There are only a few senior players, but everyone talks and shares freely. Before matches, we watch game footage together and discuss areas of improvement. I try to give as much feedback as I can during games. It’s great that the younger players listen and follow, which makes things easier and builds strong team chemistry.
Working with Head Coach Harendra Singh
Rohan Chowdhury: How has your experience been with Harendra sir as head coach?
Navneet Kaur: We’ve played two tournaments under him so far—the Asian Champions Trophy and the Pro League—and I think we’ve performed well in both. Communication has become easier since we don’t have language barriers now, and everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves. Every coach has a unique style, and it’s our job as players to adapt and be coachable.
Also Read: Coach Harendra with insights on newcomers: Jyoti, Sujata, Ajmina, Pooja and Mahima
Message to Indian Fans in England
Rohan Chowdhury: When you are playing in the Pro League in England, both the Indian men’s and women’s teams are playing their respective series. Indian sport will be on a high. Would you like to give a message to Indian fans?
Navneet Kaur: Yes, definitely. Just like fans support cricket, we’d love for them to come and support hockey too—especially if they’re in England. And even in India, watching our matches on TV boosts our morale. It gives us energy and motivation when we know our people are cheering for us.
Rohan Chowdhury: Thank you, Navneet, for your time. All the best for the upcoming Pro League matches!
Navneet Kaur: Thank you so much!
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