Top 10 players to watch out for in Women's Hockey India League 2025

The best players in the world are set to play in the Women’s Hockey India League 2025.

Women’s Hockey is set to see a new sunshine, as the Women’s Hockey India League 2025 is set to commence on January 12. This is the first time, for any sport, that a league is being held at the national level in India, with both the men’s and women’s competitions being played simultaneously.

There are four teams, with two more to be added next year. The inaugural edition will see Odisha Warriors, Soorma Hockey Club, Delhi SG Pipers and Shrachi Rrah Bengal Tigers compete for the top honours.

Also Read: Women’s Hockey India League 2025: Updated schedule, fixtures, results, live streaming details

The world’s best players, including players from the world’s top hockey playing nations such as the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, and Belgium will participate in the league. Despite the return of eight players, teams have been able to get quality replacements. As a result, several exciting young talents will now get to share the dressing room with several global stars and local veterans.

Let’s take a look at 10 players capable of creating wonders, at the Women’s Hockey India League 2025.

10. Sunelita Toppo (Delhi SG Pipers)

Sunelita Toppo, who is just 17 years old, already has nineteen appearances for the senior side. No other stat can do justice to the immense potential she has. While she hasn’t set the stage on fire yet, Toppo has shown glimpses of what the future could hold for her. Playing in a league such as this might exactly be what the doctor ordered, for a talent like her.

9. Stewart Grace Carmel (Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers)

Having played for a long time for a top side like Australia, the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers will be hoping that Stewart Grace Carmel can shine in the midfield. With Udita likely to play a bigger role at the back, the 27-year-old is likely to get the freedom to burst forward and create chances for Ambre Ballenghien and Vandana Katariya. An occasional goal-scorer too, Grace is likely to be a menace for the defensive units.

8. Emma Puvrez (Delhi SG Pipers)

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While Delhi SG Pipers have several foreign defenders, Belgium’s Emma Purves will have to take the responsibility of the backline. With 210 caps, the 27-year-old has been one of the key members over the years, behind the Belgians’ compactness. She would be looking to gel quickly with Maroney Miri and Neal Elizabeth Ann and hold the fort for the SG Pipers.

7. Kanika Siwach (Odisha Warriors)

Kanika Siwach, who finished as the second-highest goal scorer in the Women’s Junior Asia Cup last year is another talent to watch out for. Having not debuted yet for the senior side, this is Siwach’s chance to stake a claim for a spot in the set-up.

Importantly, she will get to learn the tricks of the trade from a world-class forward in the form of Moes Freeke, who was part of the Dutch Olympic gold medal-winning squad in Paris 2024.

6. Deepika Sehrawat (Delhi SG Pipers)

Deepika Sehrawat, 21, is regarded by pundits as a future star. She finished as the top-scorer in both, the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy last year and the Junior Asia Cup. More importantly, she has the rare distinction of being a forward who can send across strong drag-flicks. Having already scored for India at a decent average of about one goal in two matches, Deepika could be one of the brightest young talents in the league.

5. Savita Punia (Soorma Hockey Club)

The Soorma Hockey Club will need all the experience, which FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Savita Punia brings to the table. With almost 300 caps to his name, the custodian has seen almost everything the game has to offer. Having made a reputation of being a wall for her national team especially during matches, her new franchisee will be hoping for more of the same.

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4. Charlotte Stapenhorst (Soorma Hockey Club)

German Charlotte Stapenhorst, with 90 goals in 179 appearances for the senior side, will be leading the offensive line-up at the Soorma Hockey Club. A three-time Olympian, which includes a bronze medal in the Rio Olympics 2016, her side will be hoping to utilize her poacher’s instincts. Considering they have the likes of Charlotte Englebert in their ranks too, Soorma arguably have the best-attacking line-up in the league.

3. Udita Duhan (Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers)

Bengal Tigers had picked Udita Duhan. She was the most expensive player in the auction. With the team taking the unconventional route of signing Irish and American defenders rather than big names, the 26-year-old will be left with the responsibility of putting together an inexperienced backline.

It will be interesting though to see if the team wants their marquee player to push further, considering they already have a couple of big names for that.

2. Salima Tete (Soorma Hockey Club)

Indian team skipper Salima Tete, who has played 120+ matches for the national side, will be captaining the Soorma Hockey Club. The 23-year-old is known for her ability to make runs with blistering pace. With several marquee forwards in their line-up, Salima is the ideal buy for her side, since she can create chances at will. She is also an occasional goal-scorer, as shown by her tally of 16 international goals.

1. Yibbi Jansen (Odisha Warriors)

Yibbi Jansen is the best drag-flicker in the world and was the most expensive overseas player in the auction by miles. The 24-year-old played a massive role in the Netherlands’ march to the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, finishing as the top scorer with 9 goals in as many matches, which include one each in the semifinal and the final.

With 71 goals in 83 games for the senior team, he has become a threat to teams during penalty corner defence. Not to forget that Jensen will also play an important role in the backline.

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