Hockey India Announces Indian Junior Women Squad For UK Tour In July 2026

Hockey India has named a 24-member Indian Junior Women’s squad for a UK exposure tour from 5 to 14 July 2026. The team, led by new coach Tim White, will play seven matches in Scotland and England as part of build-up for future events, including the Junior Asia Cup.

Khaidem Shileima Chanu will captain the side. Nidhi and Engil Harsha Rani Minz are the goalkeepers. The defenders are Pooja Sahoo, Supriya, Madhu, F. Lalbi Aksiami, Lalneihpuii and Parwati Topno. The midfield includes Chanu, Tanuja Toppo, Supriya Kujur, Pooja Malik, Binima Dhan, Geeta Yadav, Roshni Aind and Tanushree Dinesh Kadu.

The forwards are Sukhveer Kaur, Shashi Khasa, Lalrinpuii, Nisha Minj, Purnima Yadav, Kajal, Sanika Chandrakant Mane and Krishna Sharma. The nine-day tour will open with two matches against the Scotland Senior Women’s Team at the University of Edinburgh, before games against junior teams from the United States, England and Belgium at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre.

White on the tour

White said the trip is part of the squad’s growth. “The tour to the UK is an important part of the development process for our junior squad. We have selected an exciting young group, many of whom have not had exposure to foreign teams, so it will be a great learning opportunity for individuals and for the group as a team,” he said.

He added, “As we will be playing against highly-competitive opposition, we expect to be challenged. However, we will take every game as a learning opportunity while also implementing the way of play we have been working on for the last 10 weeks. I'm certain this will be great preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup as we will use this tour to confirm our strengths as a team and also the key areas we need to improve.”