India women's hockey squad: Salima Tete replaces Savita as skipper for FIH Pro League

Salima Tete replaced veteran Savita Punia as captain of the 24-member Indian women’s hockey squad for the Belgium and England legs of the FIH Pro League this month. Navneet Kaur has been named her deputy for the tour.

“I am happy that I have been appointed to lead the team. It is a big responsibility and I am looking forward to this new role. We have a strong squad and it’s a mix of experienced and young players,” Salima said as per a Hockey India press release.

“In the upcoming Belgium and England legs of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-2024, we look to put our strong foot forward. We have worked on areas where we needed to improve,” she said.

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Savita had captained India during the unsuccessful Paris Olympics qualifying campaign and the Pro League matches at home.

Barring four changes, the squad wears the same look as the one that competed in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela legs of the Pro League in February.

Defender Gurjit Kaur, midfielders Sonika and Nisha and striker Beauty Dungdung have been dropped and replaced by Mahima Chaudhary, Manisha Chauhan, Pretti Dubey and Deepika Soreng.

Salima was recently honoured with the prestigious Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr Award for Player of The Year in the women’s category at the Hockey India Annual Awards.

The goalkeeping responsibilities will remain with Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam, while the defensive line-up includes Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Jyoti Chhatri and Mahima.

The midfield will be marshalled by Salima, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Navneet, Neha, Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha and Lalremsiami.

The forward line boasts of Mumtaz Khan, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Preeti, Vandana Katariya, Sunelita Toppo and Deepika.

Navneet, who replaced Vandana as the team’s vice-captain said, “It feels surreal to be named as the vice-captain. I am quite excited to get on with this team in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-24, where we will play quality teams.

“We have a good team and we are confident that we will do well in the Europe leg of the Pro League. I am also looking to work on my game and improve.”

The Belgium leg of the FIH Pro league will be played between 22-26 May while the England leg will be played between 1-9 June.

India will play against Argentina, and Belgium twice during the first leg. During the London leg, the team will take on Great Britain and Germany.

India are currently sixth in the FIH Pro League table with eight points from as many matches.

Indian women’s hockey squad:

Goalkeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Jyoti Chhatri, Mahima Chaudhary.

Midfielders: Salima Tete (C), Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Navneet Kaur (VC), Neha, Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan, Lalremsiami.

Forwards: Mumtaz Khan, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Preeti Dubey, Vandana Katariya, Sunelita Toppo, Deepika Soreng.