Under the captaincy of Rani Rampal, the women’s hockey team finished fourth in the Tokyo Olympics. (File Pic)
India has been placed in Pool B along with England, New Zealand and China in the World Cup. The team will play its first match on July 3 against England, against whom they lost their bronze medal match at the Tokyo Olympics.
The Indian Women’s Hockey Team showed a great game in the Tokyo Olympics-2020. This team reached the semi-finals but lost and then played the bronze medal match. The team was defeated here too but it was the best performance of India’s women’s hockey team in Olympic history, which she did under the captaincy of Rani Rampal. But in the FIH World Cup to be held next month, Rani Rampal has not got a place in the team. The reason for this is his fitness. Rani could not achieve full fitness and hence would not be able to take part in the World Cup. Goalkeeper Savita Poonia will lead the Indian team.
Rani, who captained the Indian team during the fourth-place finish of the Indian team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, was included in the Indian squad for the recent FIH Pro League matches against Belgium and the Netherlands after recovering from a leg muscle injury. She was out after the Tokyo Games due to injury. Despite being part of the team, Rani did not play in the first four matches during the European leg of the Pro League, raising questions about her fitness and eventually losing her place in the squad for the World Cup.
These players also did not get a place
After not getting a place for Rani, there is no other surprising name in the team and India has given a chance to the tested players. Defenders Ishika Choudhary and Akshata Abaso Dhakale, midfielder Baljit Kaur and striker Sangeeta Kumari, who were part of the Indian team in the recent FIH Pro League matches, also did not find a place in the team. The Netherlands and Spain will jointly host the World Cup from July 1 to 17.
Deep Grace Ace Vice Captain
Deep Grace will continue to be the vice captain of the ace team. India has been placed in Pool B along with England, New Zealand and China. The team will play its first match on July 3 against England, against whom they lost their bronze medal match at the Tokyo Olympics. In the last World Cup in London, the Indian team had to face defeat in a shoot-out against Ireland in the quarter-finals.
pick the best team
Indian coach Yanek Shopman said, we have selected the best team for the World Cup. It is a mix of experienced and young talent who have done exceptionally well when they get their chance against the top team in the FIH Pro League. Apart from Rani, who failed to fully recover from injury, all the players who have been a part of the Tokyo Olympic campaign have found a place in the team, while Jyoti and Sonika have also been included, who performed well when given the opportunity.
Pool B matches will be played in Spain.
The team is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Savita (Captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita.
Midfielders: Nisha, Sushila Chanu, Pukhrambam, Monica, Neha, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur, Sonika, Salima Tete.
Forwards: Vandana Kataria, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Sharmila Devi.
Alternate players: Akshata Abaso Dhakale, Sangeeta Kumari.
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