Harpal Singh Bedi / New Delhi
Ace striker Rani Rampaul on Friday was named captain of the 18-member Indian Women’s Hockey Team for the season opener in Spain starting from 26 January.
Savita is the vice –captain of the team which will play four matches with Spain National Team and two matches against the 2018 Women’s World Cup runners-up Ireland.
The team includes goalkeepers Savita and Rajani Etimarpu. It also has defender Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam who makes a comeback after missing out on the s World Cup and the Asian Games due to injury.
Defender Salima Tete, who led the India U-18 team to a Silver medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, has also been picked up along with experienced Deep Grace Ekka, Reena Khokhar, Nikki Pradhan and drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur..
While midfield features Lilima Minz, Karishma Yadav, Sonika and Neha Goyal, the forward-line will have the experience of Rani, Vandana Katariya, Navneet Kaur, Lalremsiami, Udita and Navjot Kaur.
“The team has a different mix of players this time with some of the key players like Sunita Lakra, Namita Toppo among few other experienced players being rested. The idea was to give more players a chance to experience playing at a top level so we can create more depth in our selection ahead of the Olympic Qualifiers,” stated Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne about the team selection.
The team will leave on 24 January for the Spain from Bengaluru where they have been based for the past two weeks for the National Camp.