Young talent, experienced core feature in India Women's Squad for Australia Tour
New Delhi, May 18
Hockey India has announced the Indian Women's Hockey Team for the upcoming Tour of Australia, scheduled from May 26 to 30 in Perth.
The four-match tour will be held at the Perth Hockey Stadium, with matches scheduled on May 26, 27, 29 and 30. The tour will prepare the team for the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup 2025-26, scheduled to take place in Auckland from June 15-21, as per a press release from Hockey India.
The Indian Team heads into the tour on the back of a strong showing in Argentina earlier this year, where they displayed plenty of fight to secure two wins in their four-match series. Since then, the group has been training hard at the national camp at SAI Bengaluru, sharpening key aspects of their game as they prepare for a busy international season ahead.
Salima Tete, a bronze medallist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, will lead the side for the upcoming tour. She will have plenty of experience alongside her with the likes of Savita, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalremsiami and Navneet Kaur, as well as exciting young talent including Sonam, Hina Bano and Lalthantluangi.
Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam will be the reliable options in the goalkeeping department for the upcoming tour. In defence, Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi and Jyoti will feature alongside Shilpi Dabas, who has earned her maiden senior team call-up. Lalthantluangi has also received her maiden senior team call-up.
Salima Tete will lead the midfield department alongside experienced campaigners such as Neha and Lalremsiami, while Sakshi Rana and Sunelita Toppo will look to continue impressing. Deepika Soreng and Sonam, who is yet to make her senior international debut, are also part of the midfield unit.
Navneet Kaur will be expected to continue her fine goalscoring form as she leads the forward line comprising Baljeet Kaur, Deepika, Annu, Ishika, Hina Bano, who is yet to make her senior international debut, and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal.
Sharing his thoughts on the squad, Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne stated, "We have picked a squad with a good balance of experienced and young players, some of whom will get their first minutes at the international level. It's important to keep developing players, and the best way to do that is under pressure in international matches. These players now have the chance to show their best, and I am looking forward to seeing their performances."
Further expressing his expectations from the Australia tour, he added, "This tour is to prepare for the upcoming Nations Cup. I want to see the level of performance we saw in our last two matches in Argentina and build consistency in our performances. That is the level we need to reach, and we have to continue improving so we can perform even better."
India - 22-member squad for Tour of Australia 2026:
*Goalkeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam
*Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, Shilpi Dabas
*Midfielders: Salima Tete, Lalremsiami, Neha, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Deepika Soreng, Sonam
*Forwards: Navneet Kaur, Baljeet Kaur, Deepika, Annu, Ishika, Hina Bano, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, some fresh faces in the squad! Hina Bano and Sonam - the future of Indian hockey is bright. But I hope the coach gives them enough game time in Australia. No point taking them just to sit on the bench.
Good squad selection but I'm a bit concerned about the goalkeeping. Savita is world class no doubt, but Bichu Devi has been inconsistent. Hope she steps up in Australia. Also, why no Vandana Katariya? She's still our best forward in big matches.
Australia tour will be a real test of character. Their hockey style is very physical and fast. This is exactly the kind of preparation we need before the Nations Cup. Salima and Savita's experience will be crucial to guide the youngsters through tough moments.
Loving the mix of players from different states - Manipur, Haryana, Jharkhand, Punjab... this is what makes Indian hockey so special! 🇮🇳 Especially proud to see Lalthantluangi and Shilpi Dabas getting their first senior call-ups. Rooting for all of them! ✨
Sjoerd Marijne has done a great job with the women's team overall. But I wish we had more exposure tours before the Nations Cup. Only 4 matches in Australia seems too less. Should have been at least a 6-8 match series to build real match fitness.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.