New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) Sushila Chanu, an experienced midfielder, was notably omitted from the 20-member Indian women's hockey team for the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT), which will be contested in Ranchi from October 27 to November 5.
Sushila, who led India to Olympic gold in Rio, was a member of the Indian women's team that won bronze in the Hangzhou Asian Games last week. The press release did not specify if she is injured or has been dropped from the team.
Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, who was also a member of the Asian Games squad, has been named as a replacement player with Sharmila Devi and will travel with the squad as a backup option.
Sushila has been replaced in the squad by Baljeet Kaur.
Aside from Sushila, there were no surprises in the lineup captained by goalie Savita.
Defender Grace at its Finest Ekka will remain Savita's deputy.
Bichu Devi Kharibam is the other goalie on the team, and the defense will be led by Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, and Deep Grace.
The midfield will be made up of Nisha, Salima Tete, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sonika, Monika, Jyoti, and Baljeet, with Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, and Vandana Katariya as attackers.
Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand are among the other countries taking part.
India's ACT campaign will begin on October 27 against Thailand, followed by matches against Malaysia (October 28), China (October 30), Japan (October 31), and Korea (November 2). The semifinals and finals are set for November 4 and 5, respectively.
"This is a crucial tournament for us to maintain our momentum and steady improvement as a team." While India won the bronze medal at the Asian Games, the upcoming event will allow them to enhance their standings against their Asian opponents, according to India's chief coach Janneke Schopman.
"We will get a chance to put our learning from Hangzhou into action and test ourselves once again."
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Savita (captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Deep Grace Ekka (vice-captain)
Midfielders: Nisha, Salima Tete, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sonika, Monika, Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur
Forwards: Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Vandana Katariya
Replacement players: Sharmila Devi, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke.
0 Comments