Bengaluru: Hockey India announced a 40-member core group for the ongoing senior women’s national coaching camp at SAI on Wednesday.
The camp, which started on March 23, originally included 65 probables. After assessing performances over the past two weeks, the group has been narrowed down to 40 players.
Out of the existing core group, 28 players have retained their positions, while 12 new selections have been made from outside the core group, recognizing their outstanding performances during the 15th Senior Women’s National Championship and in the initial training camp, as stated in Hockey India’s official release.
Chief coach Harendra Singh commented on the selections, saying, “We have conducted some excellent training sessions. The selectors and the team have done a commendable job in narrowing it down to the best 40 players available. After observing the National Championships, we believe we have identified some good talent, and I am excited to see how these young athletes perform during the camp and take significant steps for their futures.”
The goalkeeping department includes familiar names like Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki, and Madhuri Kindo, who all retain their spots, alongside newcomer Samiksha Saxena from Assam Hockey, recognized for her strong national championship performance.
In defense, eight players from the previous core group—Mahima Chaudhary, Nikki Pradhan, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Jyoti Chhatri, Jyoti, and Akshata Abaso Dhekale—are back, with Anjna Dungdung from Hockey Bengal and Suman Devi Thoudam from Manipur Hockey added to the squad.
The midfield features experienced players such as Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Salima Tete, Manisha Chauhan, Ajmina Kujur, Sunelita Toppo, Lalremsiami, Sharmila Devi, and Baljeet Kaur. Four new players—Sujata Kujur from Hockey Bengal, Mahima Tete and Albela Rani Toppo from Hockey Jharkhand, and Pooja Yadav from UP Hockey—have been included for their standout performances.
Among the forwards, the team retains Deepika Soreng, Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Beauty Dungdung, and Mumtaz Khan, who have demonstrated consistent prowess. They will be joined by five new attacking talents: Dipimonika Toppo from Odisha, Hritika Singh from Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Annu and Chandana Jagadish from Hockey Karnataka, and Kajal Sadashiv Atpadkar from Hockey Maharashtra.
Indian Women’s Hockey Team New 40-Member Senior Core Group:
- Goalkeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki, Madhuri Kindo, Samiksha Saxena
- Defenders: Mahima Chaudhary, Nikki Pradhan, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Jyoti Chhatri, Jyoti, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Anjna Dungdung, Suman Devi Thoudam
- Midfielders: Sujata Kujur, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Salima Tete, Manisha Chauhan, Ajmina Kujur, Sunelita Toppo, Lalremsiami, Sharmila Devi, Baljeet Kaur, Mahima Tete, Albela Rani Toppo, Pooja Yadav
- Forwards: Dipimonika Toppo, Hritika Singh, Deepika Soreng, Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Beauty Dungdung, Mumtaz Khan, Annu, Chandana Jagadish, Kajal Sadashiv Atpadkar.
