FIH Hockey Nations Cup: Goalkeeper Savita Punia will lead the women's hockey team, Navjot back in team

Hockey India on Wednesday announced a 20-man squad, led by goalkeeper Savita Punia, for the women's FIH Hockey Nations Cup tournament to be played in Valencia, Spain from December 11-17.

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Meanwhile, midfielder Navjot, who was dropped after the Commonwealth Games, is back in the squad. While defense player Deep Grace Ekka will be the vice-captain of the team. The FIH Hockey Nations Cup is an important tournament in the international calendar as its champions will get tickets to the FIH Women's Pro League 2023-2024 season.

In this tournament, the Indian team is in Pool B along with Chile, Japan, and South Africa. While Pool A includes teams from Ireland, Italy, Korea, and Spain. India will open their campaign against Chile on the first day of the tournament. Frontline player Beauty Dungdung will make her international debut in the tournament. On the other hand, veteran Navjot Kaur is back in the squad. Navjot didn't play in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games team due to a coronavirus infection.

The squad also includes reserve goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam. At the same time, drag-flickers Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, and Ishika Chaudhary along with Ekka will make the defense strong. The midfield will be comprised of Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Kharibam, Monica, Neha, Sonika, Jyoti, and Navjot Kaur. While Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari, and Dungdung will handle the front row.

The Indian team, which won a bronze medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in August this year, took the third place in the 2021-22 FIH Pro League. They beat Argentina and the Netherlands for the first time.

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Indian team chief coach Janneke Schopman said in a statement issued to Hockey India, "I'm very happy with the performance of the entire playing group in this camp. Our level is getting higher and the group is very competitive. It was difficult to pick 20 players but I believe this group will have a good chance to perform well and show what we have been working on."

The Indian Squad:

• Goalkeepers: Savita (C), Bichu Devi Kharibam
• Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (VC), Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary
• Midfielders: Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Neha, Sonika, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur
• Forwards: Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari, Beauty Dungdung