Hockey India announces 26-member Indian women's team for Australia tour

Salima Tete will captain the Indian women’s hockey team for the five-match series.

Hockey India on Monday announced the 26-member Indian Women’s Hockey Team for the tour of Australia scheduled from April 26 to May 4, 2025, at the Perth Hockey Stadium. The five-match series will see India take on Australia A in the first two games, followed by three matches against the senior Australian team.

The team will be led by dynamic midfielder Salima Tete, while experienced forward Navneet Kaur will be the vice-captain. The tour will be a crucial preparatory assignment ahead of the team’s European leg of the FIH Pro League 2024-25, set to be held in June.

Seasoned goalkeeper Savita and young talent Bichu Devi Kharibam will share responsibilities between the posts, providing a strong last line of defence.

The defensive line-up features a mix of experience and promising young talent, comprising Jyoti Singh, Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Sujata Kujur, Suman Devi Thoudam, Jyoti, Ajmina Kujur, and Sakshi Rana.

In the midfield, captain Salima Tete will marshal the centre with support from Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Sharmila Devi, Manisha Chauhan, Sunelita Toppo, Mahima Tete, Pooja Yadav, and Lalremsiami, bringing depth and creativity to the side.

The forward line looks sharp and attacking with Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Mumtaz Khan, Baljeet Kaur, Deepika Soreng, and Beauty Dungdung.

Notably, five players Jyoti Singh, Sujata Kujur, Azmina Kujur, Pooja Yadav, and Mahima Tete have been named in the senior squad and will be eager to make their senior team debut.

Additionally, Bansari Solanki (goalkeeper), Anjana Dundung and Lalthantluangi (defenders), Sakshi Shukla and Khaidem Shileima Chanu (midfielders), along with Dipi Monika Toppo and Sonam (forwards), have been named as standby players.

Harendra Singh, Chief Coach of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team, shared her thoughts on the squad and stated, “This tour to Australia is an opportunity for us to test our skills and strategies against top-level competition.

We’ve selected a balanced squad that combines experience with fresh energy. It’s great to see young players earning their spots through consistent performances in national-level tournaments and senior camps. It will be exciting to see how they adapt and rise to the challenge at the international level.”

“We’ve had a solid block of training at the national camp in Bengaluru, and the team is in good shape—both mentally and physically. Playing against Australia A and the Hockeyroos will help us fine-tune our game before the European leg of the FIH Pro League.

We are strengthening key areas such as fitness, and decision-making, and building a resilient mentality that allows us to stay composed and competitive in high-pressure situations. We aim to maintain the fighting spirit we showed in the Pro League recently.”

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