Hockey India on Wednesday announced Indian women’s hockey team for Commonwealth Games 2018. Senior striker Rani Rampal will captain the 18 member Indian team for Gold Coast. The duties of vice captain is handed over to experienced goalkeeper Savita.
Read: Indian Hockey Team for Commonwealth Games 2018 announced
Savita will make a return to the team after been rested for the tour of South Korea, she will be accompanied by Rajani Etimarpu.
In Defense: India’s fortress will be guarded by Deepika, Sunita Lakra, Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur and Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam.
In Midfield: Monika, Namita Toppo, Nikki Pradhan, Neha Goyal and Lilima Minz will play the midfield duties and act as the link between defense to the forwards.
Forward Line: Rani, Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navjot Kaur, Navneet Kaur and Poonam Rani will form India’s attack.
The Indian eves(world rank 10) have been placed in Pool A along with Malaysia(world rank 22), Wales(world rank 26), England(world rank 2) and South Africa(world rank 14) at the multi-sport event scheduled to begin on 4 April. India will begin their campaign on 5 April against Wales.
India are the second ranked team in their pool and are expected to clear the first hurdle without any difficulty.
Chief Coach Harendra Singh is confident that the determined team can cause huge upsets on the back of winning the five-match series in South Korea.
“We have played with the same set of players for a long period so the players have formed a great understanding among themselves which was evident during our 2017 Asia Cup triumph,” he said.
“The team also performed well in South Korea to beat a higher-ranked side and we will be looking to cause a few upsets and aim for the podium as the morale is high going into the prestigious Gold Coast 2018 XXI Commonwealth Games.”
Harendra also welcomed the inclusion of the experienced goalkeeper Savita, who is currently in Oman undergoing a Goalkeeping coaching course.
“Savita is an integral part of the team and brings a lot of experience in goal for us. She has played over 200 matches for her country and has performed in crucial matches of big tournaments. Therefore, it is good to have her back in the team as she helps the defensive and offensive players as well by imparting her expertise.”
In History
India finished 4th in the 1998 edition of the games when Hockey was introduced. The team bounced back and won gold and silver in 2002 and 2006 edition of the game respectively. Women’s team again lost its way in 2010 and 2014 edition where they finished 5th in the multi sport event.
Host Australia on the other hand is the most successful team in the tournament with 4 gold and 1 bronze. They have always bagged a medal in every edition of the games and will be eager to make a mark in the 2018 Commonwealth Games which will be on their home soil.
Indian women’s hockey team for Commonwealth Games 2018
Goalkeepers: Savita (VC), Rajani Etimarpu
Defenders: Deepika, Sunita Lakra, Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam.
Midfielders: Monika, Namita Toppo, Nikki Pradhan, Neha Goyal, Lilima Minz.
Forwards: Rani (C), Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navjot Kaur, Navneet Kaur, Poonam Rani.
Indian women’s hockey team for Commonwealth Games 2018
