Star striker Rani Rampal on Tuesday returned to the nationwide facet after a prolonged harm lay-off as India on Tuesday named a 22-member girls's hockey squad for the upcoming FIH Professional League tie towards world no 1 Netherlands.
The squad additionally consists of two new faces in midfielder Mahima Choudhary and striker Aishwarya Rajesh Chavan, who will make their senior staff debut within the double leg tie to be held on the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Friday and Saturday.
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Rani, who led India to a historic fourth place end within the Olympics final 12 months, has not performed for the nationwide staff because the Tokyo Video games on account of a number of accidents, primarily hamstring downside.
Since then Rani has been present process rehabilitation on the SAI south centre in Bengaluru however she is now match to take the sphere once more.
Goalkeeper Savita will proceed to steer India and will probably be assisted by Deep Grace Ekka.
India, although, will probably be with out the providers of Tokyo Olympians Salima Tete, Sharmila Devi and Lalremsiami who're representing India within the Junior Ladies's World Cup in South Africa.
The nationwide selectors additionally named three standby gamers -- Upasana Singh, Preeti Dubey and Olympian Vandana Katariya. "It is nice to be again on the sphere for our Hockey Professional League video games vs the Netherlands after the frustration of England not with the ability to go to. With our juniors enjoying the World Cup we now have the prospect to make use of the depth of our core group and I'm excited to doubtlessly see some new faces on the sphere," chief coach Janneke Schopman mentioned.
"Rani has additionally labored laborious to be again in competition and if this coaching week goes effectively I hope we will play her in one of many video games." The coach mentioned India would look to take confidence from their efficiency towards Germany within the earlier tie.
"Netherlands is a formidable opponent, they've proven final weekend towards the USA that they rating targets simply and play from a good defence.
"We need to construct on our personal efficiency since our final video games vs Germany and am excited to hopefully present our progress towards a powerful opponent," Schopman mentioned.
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The Indian girls's staff is presently positioned fourth within the FIH Professional League standings with 12 factors from six video games.
Netherlands, however, are atop the desk with 17 factors from six matches.
Crew: Goalkeepers: Savita (captain), Rajani Etimarpu. Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (vice-captain), Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Rashmita Minz, Suman Devi Thoudam. Midfielders: Nisha, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Namita Toppa, Sonika, Neha, Mahima Choudhary. Forwards: Aishwarya Rajesh Chavan, Navneet Kaur, Rajwinder Kaur, Rani Rampal, Mariana Kujur. Standbys: Upasana Singh, Preeti Dubey, Vandana Katariya. |
