Birmingham CWG 2022: All you need to know about Women's Hockey

Indian women's hockey team have won a gold and a silver medal since its introduction to the event in 1998.

Women's hockey will be a part of the quadrennial event at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games (CWG). Indian women's hockey team have won a gold and a silver medal since its introduction to the event in 1998. The women's team reached the semifinals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but failed to bag any medal. They are currently ranked sixth in the FIH World Rankings and the team will surely be vying for a medal on the big stage.

Australia is leading the medal race at CWG with four golds, a silver and a bronze. Followed by New Zealand with gold and silver each and two bronze medals. India ranks third in the medal tally at the CWG. Here's a look at a brief history of women's hockey at the CWG, what to expect in the upcoming edition and so on:

History

Since its introduction at the quadrennial event in 1998 Indian women's hockey team has played two gold medal matches and two bronze medal games. India finished fourth in the inaugural competition at the 1998 CWG in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The famous triumph of 2002 led by Suraj Lata Devi defeated New Zealand to enter the finals against England. India defeated England 3-2 a.e.t clinching India's first gold medal at the CWG in the game.

The event inspired the movie Chak de! India, scriptwriter Sahni was modelling the character of Kabir Khan of hockey coach Maharaj Krishan Kaushik. India's last shot at the medal at the 2018 CWG in Goldcoast, Australia saw them getting thrashed 6-0 by the hands of England to finish fourth in the tournament.

Hockey at CWG 2022

The 2022 CWG games for hockey will take place from 29th July 2022 onwards. The group stages feature five teams in two Pools - Pool A and Pool B. Pool A consists of teams - England, India, Canada, Wales and Ghana. Pool B consists of teams - Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Scotland and Kenya. The top two teams from each pool will qualify for the semifinals while the rest will fight for their final ranking. Classification matches will determine teams in the ninth, seventh and fifth place.

Indian Contingent

Navbharna will headstart the competition with the first game against Ghana on 29th July. India is the third-best country in the competition in terms of the medal tally. The team are also riding high on confidence after a stunning campaign at the maiden FIH Pro League. India would finish their World Cup campaign before the CWG arrive thus it is important to take a physically fit team. Rani Rampal has been left out of the squad due to injury concerns. Her performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics helped the team to secure a fourth-position finish.

The team will feature midfielders Neha, Nisha, Salima Tete and experienced forwards Vandana Katariya Lalremsiami. Hopes are on the team to bring back a medal home from Birmingham.

Indian Schedule

July 29 2022 (Group A) - vs Ghana

July 30 2022 (Group A) - vs Wales

August 2 2022 (Group A) - vs England

August 3 2022 (Group A) - vs Canada

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