Salima Tete to lead Indian team at Women’s Hockey World Cup; England, China are waiting in group | Hockey news

Salima Tete (PTI file photo)

Hockey India on Friday named an unchanged 20-member Indian women’s squad for next month’s FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands, with the same group also set to represent the country at the Asian Games in September and October.The captain of the team will be Salima Tete, while head coach Sjoerd Marijne said that the selected group offers the right balance ahead of two big tournaments. The World Cup will be held from August 15 to 30.The team, currently training at the national camp in Bengaluru, combines experienced players with youngsters who have impressed in recent international competitions.India go into the World Cup after winning the FIH Nations Cup in New Zealand last month without losing a match. The title ensured the team a return to the highest FIH Pro League.Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam were appointed as the two gate keepers.The defense unit includes Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chana Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti and Shilpi Dabas.Captain Salima Tete will lead the midfield along with Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Neha and Deepika Soreng.The front line consists of Lalremsiami, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur and Beauty Dungdung.“We have selected a well-balanced group of players who are ready for the big challenges we will face this summer. The team has worked hard ahead of the tournament and we are confident in the abilities of this group,” Marijne said in a press release issued by Hockey India.India have been placed in Group D along with China, England and South Africa.The team will play all of its group stage games at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, the Netherlands. India begin their campaign against China on August 16 before facing South Africa on August 18 and England on August 20.“We are looking forward to competing with the best teams in the world and presenting our hockey on the biggest stage,” Marijne added.The Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4.Composition of India:Gatekeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi KharibamDefenders: Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, Shilpi DabasMidfielders: Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (captain), Neha, Deepika SorengForward: Lalremsiami, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur, Beauty Dungdung.