New Delhi: Experienced goalkeeper Savita will lead India in the upcoming Asian Cup in Muscat as India Hockey on Wednesday named the 18-member squad for the event, including 16 players displayed at the Tokyo Olympics.
Because the normal captain Rani recovered from injury in Bengaluru, Savita will lead the team in the tournament, which is scheduled to be held between January 21-28 at the Sultan Qaboos sports complex.
India has been placed in a swimming pool along with Japan, Malaysia and Singapore.
They will open their title defense against Malaysia on the opening day.
They will then take in Japan (Jan 23) and Singapore (Jan 24).
The semifinals will be played on January 26 and the final on January 28.
The top four teams will be eligible for the 2022 World Cup, which will be held in Spain and the Netherlands.
Experienced defender Grace Deep Ekka will be Deputy Savita.
The team includes the Rajani etimarpu goalkeeper and Gurjit Kaur defender, Nikki Pradhan, and Udita.
Midfield includes Nisha, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Neha, Salima Tete, Jyoti and Navjot Kaur while the forefront will see Navneet Kaur, Lalremsami, Vandana Katariya, Mariana Kujuji and Sharmila Devi.
The team also has Deepika (Junior) and Ishika Chaudhary as a replacement athlete.
“This is a tournament that is very important for us and I am happy with the team we choose which is a mixture of some highly experienced players along with talented children who have shown great potential at the international level,” said coach Janneke Schopman said.
“Even though we were a little disappointed with how things channeled for us at the Asian Cup, we could return to the camp in Sai, Bengaluru and put some good hockey sessions to be well prepared for this challenge.” In the previous edition held in 2017, India defeated China 5-4 in a shootout to lift the title.
Indian Women’s Team: Goalkeeper: Savita (c), Rajani etimarpu Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (VC), Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita.
Midfielder: Nisha, Sushila Chanu, Monika, Neha, Salima Tete, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur forward: Navneet Kaur, Lalremsami, Vandana Katariya, Mariana Kuju, Sharmila Devi