The Indian women's hockey team will visit Italian capital Rome for training and to play test matches Dec 1-12 to prepare for the World League Round 2.
Hockey India (HI) selectors Surinder Kaur, Harbinder Singh, Mamta Kharab, director high performance Roelant Oltmans, chief coach Neil Hawgood and coach N.S. Saini selected the 18-member team on the basis of the trials conducted in Bhopal Nov 19 and 20.
The team will be captained by midfielder Ritu Rani with midfielder Deepika as her deputy.
"The team has been continuously improving with each tournament. With the Italy tour coming in their way, the players are expected to continue their good form and raise the bar giving a tough fight to the opponents," said Hawgood.
"We have selected some new players in the squad and this tour will provide them international exposure as well as an opportunity to polish their skills."
India will play their first match against Italy Dec 4 followed by matches Dec 6, 7, 9 and 11.
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The squad:
Goalkeepers: Savita, Rajani Etimarpu
Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Jaspreet Kaur, Sushila Chanu, M.N. Ponnamma, Sunita Lakra, Namita Toppo, Manjit Kaur
Midfielders: Deepika (vice-captain), Lilima Minz, Ritu Rani (captain), Lily Chanu, Navjot Kaur, Amandeep Kaur
Forwards: Poonam Rani, Vandana Katariya, Soundarya Yendala.