India vs China, Women's FIH Pro League 2023-24: 3 Indian Players To Watch Out

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After the heartbreak of missing out on the Paris Olympics quota, the Indian women hockey team will return to the field with the focus shifting to the Women’s FIH Pro League 2023-24. India take on China in their opening game on home soil at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

India qualified for the league after bagging a gold medal at the Women’s Nation Cup Spain 2022. The team finished third in their maiden season in FIH Hockey Pro League 2021-22. The winner of the current edition is guaranteed a spot in the Women’s Hockey World Cup in 2026 in northwestern Europe.

Let’s take a look at three players from the Indian women’s team to look at from the current Indian women team for their China clash.

1.Vandana Katariya

Vandana Katariya is the only player in the current women’s team to have made more than 300 appearances in international hockey. She is the second oldest player in the team after captain Savita Punia.

The senior forward missed the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers in Ranchi last month after sustaining a fracture in her cheekbone during a training session. She will return as the vice-captain of the team. Her speed and agility makes her standalone in the front line. She is the first Indian female player to score a hat-trick in the Olympics.

2. Udita Duhan

Udita Duhan netted the most goals (3) in India’s challenge at the Olympic Qualifiers in Ranchi last month. In recent times, she has developed the skill to score from the top of the circle. This was evidently seen as India relied on the defender to convert penalty corners. She completed 100 caps during India’s final league game against Italy.

Udita believes slapping the ball is her potent weapon in scoring during the penalty corners. She isn’t a dragflicker but has stepped up for the team when specialists such Gurjit Kaur and Deep Grace Ekka were out of the squad.

3. Neha Goyal

Neha Goyal is one of the integral members of the Indian women's hockey team in the midfield. She has played in 148 matches and scored 20 goals. Neha has been part of major events such as World Cup, Tokyo Olympics, Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Hangzhou Asian Games, and Ranchi Champions Trophy. She can run through the opponents within a blink of an eye and sets some key goals for the forwards.