The Indian women's hockey team is set to begin a new era, with a new coach and captain and a revamped squad at Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir, Bihar. They start their title defence against Malaysia on Monday. But while India may be defending champions, the one taking the field will be a different team.
After the recent setbacks, which included not qualifying for the Olympics, women's hockey has undergone a reset under chief coach Harendra Singh with Salime Tete as the new captain. The coach sees the ACT at home as a base for future, with an eye on the World Cup and a new Olympic cycle. "This tournament is a base for our future planning.
ACT as on our calendar, what we want to achieve in terms of results. It will be start of journey for mission 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics," he said. "We have overcome all the setbacks, worked on our mistakes.
Everyone realised their role and know their role and understands that. ACT is one of the biggest platforms for the girls to showcase their skill and excel and show that the team is on the right path," he added. Among the new aspects of the team is fitness, with a focus on younger and speedier players while leaving out senior players Vandana Katariya, Monika and Nisha.
Read more about India's preparation under the new management - . India's squad : Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam. : Udita, Jyoti, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Ishika Chaudhary.
: Neha, Salima Tete (captain), Sharmila Devi, Manisha Chauhan, Sunelita T.