New players added as Hockey India trims core probable group to 40 for senior women's national camp

While 28 players are already part of the existing core group, 12 players have been selected from outside the group.

Hockey India on Wednesday named a 40-member core group for the ongoing Senior Women’s National Coaching Camp at SAI, Bengaluru. Initially, 65 potential players participated in this camp which started on 23 March 2025. Based on their performances over the past two weeks, the group has now been trimmed to 40 players.

While 28 players from the existing core group have retained their spots, 12 new players have been selected from outside the core group in recognition of their impressive performances in the 15th Senior Women’s National Championship and their efforts in the initial national training camp.

The goalkeeping department sees four familiar names Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki, and Madhuri Kindo, who have retained their places in the core group. They are joined by Samiksha Saxena from Assam Hockey, who has been rewarded for her strong performances in the national championships.

In defense, eight players from the existing core group—Mahima Chaudhary, Nikki Pradhan, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Jyoti Chhatri, Jyoti, and Akshata Abaso Dhekale—have been retained. Meanwhile, Anjna Dungdung from Hockey Bengal and Suman Devi Thoudam from Manipur Hockey have been included in the squad.

The midfield unit continues to feature experienced names such as Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Salima Tete, Manisha Chauhan, Ajmina Kujur, Sunelita Toppo, Lalremsiami, Sharmila Devi, and Baljeet Kaur. Additionally, four new players—Sujata Kujur from Hockey Bengal, Mahima Tete and Albela Rani Toppo from Hockey Jharkhand, and Pooja Yadav from UP Hockey—have earned their place in the camp following standout performances.

In the forwards, the team has retained Deepika Soreng, Navneet Kaur, Sangeeta Kumari, Deepika, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Beauty Dungdung, and Mumtaz Khan, who have consistently performed well. They will be joined by five new attacking talents—Dipimonika Toppo from Odisha, Hritika Singh from Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Annu and Chandana Jagadish from Hockey Karnataka, and Kajal Sadashiv Atpadkar from Hockey Maharashtra.

Speaking about the selection, Indian women’s hockey team Chief Coach Harendra Singh said, “We have had some grand sessions and testing. The selectors and the team have done a good job shortlisting the best 40 players available.

After watching the National Championships, we believe we have identified some best talents and I am sure they will serve the country well for a long time. I am excited to see how these young girls perform now in the camp and take a big step towards their future.”

Indian Women’s Hockey Team new 40-member Senior Core Group:

Goalkeepers:

• Savita
• Bichu Devi Kharibam
• Bansari Solanki
• Madhuri Kindo
• Samiksha Saxena

Defenders:

• Mahima Chaudhary
• Nikki Pradhan
• Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam
• Udita
• Ishika Chaudhary
• Jyoti Chhatri
• Jyoti
• Akshata Abaso Dhekale
• Anjna Dungdung
• Suman Devi Thoudam

Midfielders:

• Sujata Kujur
• Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke
• Neha
• Salima Tete
• Manisha Chauhan
• Ajmina Kujur
• Sunelita Toppo
• Lalremsiami
• Sharmila Devi
• Baljeet Kaur
• Mahima Tete
• Albela Rani Toppo
• Pooja Yadav

Forwards:

• Dipimonika Toppo
• Hritika Singh
• Deepika Soreng
• Navneet Kaur
• Sangita Kumari
• Deepika
• Rutaja Dadaso Pisal
• Beauty Dungdung
• Mumtaz Khan
• Annu
• Chandana Jagadish
• Kajal Sadashiv Atpadkar

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