Bhubaneswar, January 12: Two players from Odisha – Deep Grace Ekka and Mariana Kujur – has been selected in the 18-member Indian Hockey Squad for the upcoming Women’s Hockey Asia Cup scheduled to be held between January 21 and 28 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat, Oman.
The defending Champions India will battle it out against China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand for the title. Top four-teams from this tournament will qualify for the 2022 FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup to be held in Spain & Netherlands.
The Indian team features a formidable lineup with 16 players who were part of the historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020. Ace goalkeeper Savita will lead the team, in the absence of Rani who is undergoing rehabilitation in Bengaluru, and experienced defender Deep Grace Ekka has been named as the Vice-Captain. The team includes goalkeeper Rajani Etimarpu and defenders Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, and Udita.
The midfield includes Nisha, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Neha, Salima Tete, Jyoti and Navjot Kaur while the forwardline will see Navneet Kaur, Lalremsiami, Vandana Katariya, Mariana Kujur and Sharmila Devi. Team consists of Deepika (Junior) & Ishika Chaudhary who will be the two Replacement Athletes for the event.
The defending Champions are grouped in pool A along with Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. They will begin their campaign on opening day against Malaysia on 21 January and will play Japan on 23 January. India will take on Singapore in their last pool A match on 24 January. The Semifinals will be played on 26 January and the final match on 28 January.
In the previous edition held in 2017, India beat China 5-4 in a tense shootout to lift the title.
Indian Women’s Team:
Goalkeepers
1. Savita (C)
2. Rajani Etimarpu
Defenders
3. Deep Grace Ekka (VC)
4. Gurjit Kaur
5. Nikki Pradhan
6. Udita
Midfielders
7. Nisha
8. Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam
9. Monika
10. Neha
11. Salima Tete
12. Jyoti
13. Navjot Kaur
Forwards
14. Navneet Kaur
15. Lalremsiami
16. Vandana Katariya
17. Mariana Kujur
18. Sharmila Devi
Replacement Athletes:
19. Deepika (Junior)
20. Ishika Chaudhary
