Rani Rampal set to lead the Indian women’s hockey team in the upcoming Korean tour

02/23/2018

Indian forward Rani Rampal was named captain of a 20-woman squad set to tour Korea next month which will also see fit-again forward Poonam Rani make her long-awaited return from injury. The Indian women’s team are set to play five matches against the hosts at the Jinchun National Athletic Centre.

The Indian women’s hockey team ended 2017 on a high winning the Asia Cup in Japan where they beat the highly-rated Chinese women’s hockey team in the finals courtesy a 5-4 win in the penalty shoot-out to emerge as champions. The team will certainly look to build on that emphatic win and start 2018 with a bang as they set out on tour next month to Korea.

Rani Rampal was named as the captain of the 20-women squad today as the team featured a fine mix of youngsters as well as experienced players. Indian Defender Sunita Lakra will be Rani's backup as vice-captain during the tour. Celebrated goalkeeper Savita who was the hero of the penalty shoot-out win versus China has been rested for the tour and, in her absence, Rajani Etimarpu will be joined by young debutant Swati to guard the Indian goalpost in Korea.

“Doing well in the season’s first event is always important to gain confidence and momentum for the rest of the year. Also, Korea Tour will help us analyse the areas that requires improvement ahead of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games where we aim to finish on the podium,” chief coach Harendra Singh said as per PTI sources.

The Indian women’s defense line will showcase the experienced Deepika, who has been out of action following a knee surgery last year. She will be accompanied by Suman Devi Thoudam, Deep Grace Ekka, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and Gurjit Kaur who will also play as a drag-flicker. Highly-rated forward Poonam Rani is also slated to make her return from a lengthy injury lay-off.

The team will begin 2018 with the Korea tour from March 3-12 where the team are scheduled to play five matches against the hosts at the Jinchun National Athletic Centre. After that, in the month of May, the women’s team will return to Korea to defend its Asian Champions Trophy title.

Squad -

Goalkeepers: Savita, Rajani Etimarpu, Swati.

Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, P Sushila Chanu, Sunita Lakra, Gurjit Kaur, Hnialum Lal Ruat Feli, Navdeep Kaur, Rashmita Minz, Neelu Dadiya.

Midfielders: Namita Toppo, Nikki Pradhan, Deepika, Karishma Yadav, Renuka Yadav, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Lilima Minz, Neha Goyal, Udita, M Lily Chanu, Nilanjali Rai, Suman Devi Thoudam.

Forwards: Rani, Vandana Katariya, Preeti Dubey, Reena Khokhar, Anupa Barla, Sonika, Lalremsiami, Poonam Rani, Navneet Kaur, Navpreet Kaur.