Hockey India named a 20-player squad on Tuesday for the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Bhopal, with Salima Tete captaining and Bansari Solanki replacing the rested Savita Punia in goal. The defending champions open their campaign against Malaysia on 19 November.
Bhopal, India: Sjoerd Marijne has opened the door to new faces for the home tournament. Hockey India announced 20 players for the Madhya Pradesh Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, which runs from 19 to 28 November at the International Sports Complex in Nathu Barkheda, and the biggest absentee is the veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia.
A fresh face between the posts
Savita has been rested, and Bansari Solanki takes her place in goal. Bichu Devi Kharibam keeps her spot as the second goalkeeper. Marijne framed the selection as an opportunity for others. “This is the moment I want to give other players the chance to showcase their talent on the international stage,” the chief coach said.
Familiar names, new roles
Salima Tete continues as captain from midfield, and the coaching staff have reshuffled several positions around her. Rutuja Dadaso Pisal moves from forward to midfield, Ishika Chaudhary shifts from defence to midfield, and Nikki Pradhan is named in the defensive line. Up front, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Beauty Dungdung, Lalremsiami and Mumtaz Khan make the squad.
The full list reads: goalkeepers Bansari Solanki and Bichu Devi Kharibam; defenders Nikki Pradhan, Jyoti, Jyoti Singh, Sushila Chanu, Lalthantluangi and Pooja Sahoo; midfielders Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (captain), Neha, Sakshi Rana, Baljeet Kaur and Ishika Chaudhary; and forwards Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Beauty Dungdung, Lalremsiami and Mumtaz Khan.
Six teams, one round-robin
India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and South Korea will play each other once, and the top four go through to the semi-finals on 27 November. The medal matches follow on 28 November. India, the defending champions, begin against Malaysia on 19 November after the opening ceremony, then face South Korea on 21 November, Thailand on 22 November, China on 24 November and Japan on 25 November. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said playing in front of home supporters would be a great motivation for the squad.
The tournament arrives soon after the men’s side won a record sixth Asian Champions Trophy in Mohali, and the women, who finished fifth at the World Cup, now get a home stage of their own. The fifth-place finish was India’s best at the tournament in 52 years.
