Hockey India today named a 31-member squad for a Senior Women’s National Coaching Camp from May 11 to 20. The camp is the final training block before the team travels to Australia for a four-match warm-up series.
The group is unchanged from the April camp under Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne. The one update is Sangita Kumari. Sangita featured in the April camp as a rehab inclusion, but that tag is gone in this announcement.
Sangita missed the entire 2024-25 Pro League season with a knee injury. India finished last that season and were relegated. Hockey India viewed her as the natural successor to Vandana Katariya in attack, and her absence hurt the team. She is back and available for selection now.
What Is at Stake This Summer
The Australia tour leads into the FIH Nations Cup in Auckland from June 15 to 21. India are in Pool A alongside Japan, the United States, and Uruguay. The Nations Cup winner earns direct promotion to the next FIH Pro League season. India won the first edition in Valencia in December 2022.
The Pro League place carries extra weight this cycle. The winner of the 2026-27 FIH Pro League goes straight to the LA 2028 Olympics.
After Auckland, the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup runs from August 15 to 30 in Belgium and the Netherlands. Then comes the 2026 Asian Games in Japan from September 19 to October 4. Marijne has set the Asian Games as his main goal. A gold medal there means a direct Olympic berth. The Nations Cup and the World Cup serve as steps along the way.
Marijne’s Message Ahead of Camp
“This will be a short camp ahead of our upcoming tour to Australia. The integral focus of the camp will be on the fitness aspects of the game and improving in those areas. We want to be consistent in this regard and take the next step as a team.”
For the full Australia warm-up series schedule, see our earlier report: India Women’s Hockey Team Head to Australia for Warm-Up Series Ahead of Busy Summer.
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Savita, Madhuri Kindo, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki
Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary, Jyoti Singh, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, Udita, Shilpi Dabas
Midfielders: Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Manisha Chauhan, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete, Neha, Ishika
Forwards: Deepika Soreng, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Baljeet Kaur, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Annu, Beauty Dungdung, Hina Bano, Sonam, Lalremsiami, Mumtaz Khan, Sangita Kumari
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