New Delhi: Veteran striker Vandana Katariya has been included in the Indian women’s hockey team for the Bhubaneswar leg of the FIH Pro League on Wednesday, January 29. The Bhubaneswar leg will start on February, 15 at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium. The Women in Blue will face England on February 15 and after that, they will take on the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany twice each.
Teenage forward Sonam was named as a standby while midfielder Salima Tete will captain the Indian team and forward Navneet Kaur named as the vice-captain. Katariya was not part of the team for the women’s Asian Champions Trophy. Defenders Nikki Pradhan and Jyoti Chhatri, midfielder Baljeet Kaur and forwards Mumtaz Khan and Rutaja Dadas are also added to the team.
Indian women’s hockey team head coach Harendra Singh said that the team has a good mix of experienced players and exciting young talent and it will be crucial as the Women in Blue will face top-level teams in the competition. He further added that the management’s focus has been on building a balanced squad with strong options in every position.
Defenders Akshata Abaso Dhekale and Jyoti Singh have been added as standbys while forwards Sakshi Rana, Annu and Sonam are also included as standbys in the team. The 19-year-old Sonam was the third-highest goal scorer in the recently concluded women’s Hockey team and head coach Harendra Singh said that he is excited to see how young players will perform in the tournament. She has a chance to make her senior international debut in the Bhubaneswar leg of the FIH Pro League.
As per the FIH regulations, if a team is scheduled to play more than 4 matches during a Pro League stage, they can change their 24-member squad after the first 4 matches. However, any changes in the squad must be made using players from their pre-approved substitution list.
Indian team for the FIH Pro League Bhubaneswar leg
Goalkeepers: Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam,
Defenders: Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Jyoti, Ishika Chaudhary, and Jyoti Chhatri.
Midfielders: Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Manisha Chauhan, Salima Tete, Sunelita Toppo, Lalremsiami, Baljeet Kaur, and Sharmila Devi.
Forwards: Navneet Kaur, Mumtaz Khan, Preeti Dubey, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Beauty Dungdung, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, and Vandana Katariya.
Veteran striker Vandana Katariya has been named in the Indian women’s hockey team for the Bhubaneswar leg of the FIH Pro League. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
