Rani Rampal returns to Indian women’s hockey team for 2023 South Africa tour - full squad, schedule
Former captain Rani Rampal had been sidelined with an injury for almost a year. Savita Punia, however, will continue leading the side in South Africa.
Hockey
Hockey India, on Thursday, announced a 22-member Indian women's hockey team squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa, which begins from January 16.
During the course of the tour, which runs from January 16 to 28, world No. 8 India will play four matches against South Africa, ranked 22, and three matches against the Netherlands, the world No. 1.
Veteran forward and former Indian women's hockey team captain Rani Rampal will be making a return to the squad for the first time since the FIH Women's Hockey Pro League 2021-22 match against Belgium in June last year.
The 28-year-old Rani Rampal, who captained India at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, had been sidelined due to an injury since then.
Despite Rani Rampal’s return, however, goalkeeper Savita Punia will continue her duties as captain while the experienced Navneet Kaur has been named the vice-captain.
Savita Punia led India to glory in the inaugural edition of the FIH Women’s Nations Cup in Valencia, Spain, in December. The win earned India a promotion to the FIH Pro League 2023-24.
Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, who led the Indian women's junior team at the Uniphar U-23 5 Nations Tournament 2022 in May, has received her maiden call up to the senior team for the South Africa tour.
Baljeet Kaur will also be returning to the Indian squad for the first time since making her senior debut in the FIH Women's Hockey Pro League 2021-22 match against Belgium.
Indian women's hockey team squad for 2023 South Africa tour
Goalkeepers: Savita Punia (captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Gurjit Kaur
Midfielders: Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, P. Sushila Chanu, Nisha, Salima Tete, Monika, Neha, Sonika, Baljeet Kaur
Forwards: Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur (vice-captain), Vandana Katariya, Sangita Kumari, Beauty Dungdung, Rani Rampal, Reena Khokhar, Sharmila Devi
Indian women's hockey team tour of South Africa 2023 schedule
All times in Indian Standard Time (IST)
January 16, Monday: South Africa vs India - 6:30 PM IST
January 17, Tuesday: South Africa vs India - 6:30 PM IST
January 19, Thursday: South Africa vs India - 6:30 PM IST
January 21, Saturday: South Africa vs India - 6:30 PM IST
January 22, Sunday: Netherlands vs India - 6:30 PM IST
January 27, Friday: Netherlands vs India - 6:30 PM IST
January 28, Saturday: Netherlands vs India - 6:30 PM IST