The Indian women’s team announced for the Asian Hockey Cup, goalkeeper Savita became captain

Veteran goalkeeper Savita will lead an 18-member Indian team at the Women’s Asian Cup hockey tournament in Muscat. Hockey India announced on Wednesday the team that includes 16 players who will participate in the Tokyo Olympics. Regular skipper Rani Rampal is recovering from injury in Bangalore and therefore Savita has been appointed captain for the tournament which will take place from January 21-28.

India is placed in Group A along with Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. The Indian team will start their title defense campaign against Malaysia on the first day of the tournament. After this, they will face Japan (January 23) and Singapore (January 24).

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The semifinals will be played on January 26 and the final on January 28. The top four teams in the competition will qualify for the 2022 World Cup to be held in Spain and the Netherlands. Veteran Deep Grace Ekka has been named Vice Captain.

Indian team head coach Yanek Schopman said: “This is a very important tournament for us and I am happy with the team we have selected. It is a mix of experienced players and young talents who have shown great potential internationally.

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India last won the title in 2017 by defeating China 5-4 on a penalty shootout.

The Indian women’s team is next. Goalkeepers: Savita (Captain), Rajni Etimarpu.

Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (Vice Captain), Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita.

Middle row: Nisha, Sushila Chanu, Monica, Neha, Salima Tete, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur.

First line: Navneet Kaur, Lalremsiami, Vandana Kataria, Mariana Kujur, Sharmila Devi.