Hockey India on Saturday announced an 18-member Indian senior women squad for the international matches to be played in Argentina from 18th to 30th November.
The 18-member India squad was announced in the midst of the on-going National camp at Bhubaneshwar, Odisha will be led by experienced campaigner Ritu Rani.
The second in command will be Deepika,who is the Vice-Captain of the team. The Indian goalpost will be guarded by Savita and Rajani Etimarpu.
The defence line will see vice-captain Deepika alongside Sunita Lakra, Susila Chanu Pukhrmbam, Jaspreet Kaur and Deep Grace Ekka. The midfield will have Captain Ritu Rani with Renuka Yadav, Lilima Minz, Navjot Kaur, Monika and Namita Toppo. Navneet Kaur, Rani, Poonam Rani, Vandana Kataria and Anuradha Devi Thokchom will complete the forward line for team India.
"The team has been practicing together since the camp started. We believe in putting excessive emphasis on team work and the new team of Coaches and Support Staff are working hard to increase the work rate of each player. We have an experienced Captain and she knows how to lead by example. The qualifications for the Olympics have been a boost and we will be playing in similar conditions to that of Rio which will give us advantage in our Olympic campaign. I have full faith in the girls and I hope we will put up a good show together," said Neil Andrew Hawgood, Chief Coach, Indian women's hockey team.
The Indian Women's team has been on a high this year winning the second round of the Hockey World league earlier this year which was held in Delhi. The team gained 5th position in the Hockey World League Round 3 by the virtue of which they qualified for the Rio Olympics for the first time in 36 years.
