Hockey India has announced the 24-member Indian Women’s Hockey Team that will travel to Europe for the upcoming leg of the FIH Pro League 2024-25, to be held in London, Antwerp, and Berlin from 14 to 29 June. During this leg, India will face Australia, Argentina, Belgium, and China twice each, beginning their campaign against Australia on 14 June.
Midfielder Salima Tete has been named Captain of the side, while forward Navneet Kaur will serve as the Vice-Captain. The team features goalkeepers Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam. The defensive line-up includes Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Jyoti, Suman Devi Thoudam, Jyoti Singh, Ishika Chaudhary, and Jyoti Chhatri.
In midfield, the team has selected Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Sujata Kujur, Manisha Chauhan, and Neha. They are joined by attacking midfielders Salima Tete, Lalremsiami, Sharmila Devi, Sunelita Toppo, and Mahima Tete. The forward line comprises Deepika, Navneet Kaur, Deepika Soreng, Baljeet Kaur, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Beauty Dungdung, and Sakshi Rana.
The standby list includes goalkeeper Bansari Solanki and defender Ajmina Kujur.
India heads into the European leg following a mixed but promising campaign in Bhubaneswar, where they collected nine points from two wins and two draws. The team started strong with a 3-2 win and a draw against England. However, they faced setbacks with three consecutive losses—two to Spain and one to Germany—before bouncing back with a 1-0 win over Germany.
The team’s performances against top-ranked Netherlands showcased resilience and progress. Despite a 2-4 defeat in the first game, India earned 13 penalty corners and created consistent pressure. In their final match, India held the Dutch to a 2-2 draw and claimed a bonus point by winning the shootout, concluding their home leg on a positive note.
Chief Coach Harendra Singh commented on the squad selection: “We’ve gone with a balanced squad that blends experience with young talent. The European leg is a crucial phase of the Pro League, and we are expecting high-intensity matches against some of the best teams in the world. Every player selected has shown great commitment and readiness during our recent camps and Australia tour.”
He added, “Also, the Pro League matches in Bhubaneswar showed us both our strengths and the areas where we need to sharpen up. We have taken those lessons seriously, and the group is hungry to raise our performance level. The European leg will be a great test of our mental toughness and tactical discipline. Our goal is to keep building momentum and grow as a team with every match.”
For all sports updates, follow RevSportz