Women's Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024: Savita Punia To Lead 18-Member Squad In Ranchi

Women's Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024 is all set to get underway in two weeks in Ranchi (January 13-19) and Hockey India have named their 18-member squad for the tournament. Veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia will continue to be the captain and Vandana Katariya will be her deputy.

With eight nations participating, India will look to finish among the top three teams in the competition as the mandate to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024. The other nations participating are Germany, USA, Italy, Japan, Czech Republic, New Zealand and Chile.

India Squad: Goalkeepers: Savita Punia (Captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam; Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika; Midfielders: Nisha, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Salima Tete, Sonika, Jyoti, Beauty Dungdung; Forwards: Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Vandana Katariya.

Germany, Japan, Chile, and the Czech Republic will compete in Pool A, while India, New Zealand, Italy, and the United States are in Pool B. On January 13, India will play their first game of the campaign against the United States. On January 14, they will play a match against New Zealand. On January 16, they will play Italy in the final Pool B match.

"The FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Ranchi is an important tournament on our Paris Olympics journey. It is imperative that we live up to the expectations and all the players in the squad are working to secure qualification," Indian Women's chief coach Janneke Schopman said in a release.

"After careful consideration, we have chosen a well-balanced team with immense skill and experience in all departments. Also, Savita and Vandana have faced high-pressure situations numerous times in their career so far. They are well equipped to guide the rest of the team as the Captain and Vice-Captain," she added.

Savita has recently won her third consecutive FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Award, while veteran forward Vandana became the first-ever women player from India to complete 300 caps.