Indian Women's Hockey Team Prepares for Asia Cup with New Core Group

Upcoming National Coaching Camp for Women's Hockey

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 19: Hockey India has revealed a 40-member core group for the forthcoming Senior Women’s National Coaching Camp, which is set to take place at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Bengaluru from July 21 to August 29.

This camp is crucial as the Indian women's hockey team readies itself for the Women’s Asia Cup 2025, commencing on September 5 in Hangzhou, China. This tournament will serve as a direct qualification route for the 2026 FIH Women’s World Cup, with only the champion securing a guaranteed spot.

The retention of all players from the previous camp underscores a commitment to stability and long-term growth under the current coaching regime.

The goalkeeping squad includes seasoned players Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki, and Madhuri Kindo, alongside promising talent Samiksha Saxena from Assam Hockey, who caught the selectors' attention with her performances at the National Championships earlier this year.

The defense lineup features experienced athletes like Nikki Pradhan, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Udita, and Mahima Chaudhary, complemented by emerging talents such as Ishika Chaudhary, Jyoti Chhatri, Anjna Dungdung, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, and Suman Devi Thoudam.

In the midfield, the team continues to rely on the expertise of Neha, Salima Tete, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Manisha Chauhan, and Sharmila Devi, while also fostering young players like Sujata Kujur, Mahima Tete, Albela Rani Toppo, and Pooja Yadav.

The forward line boasts a dynamic mix of agility and finishing skills, featuring players such as Navneet Kaur, Deepika Soreng, Sangita Kumari, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Mumtaz Khan, Beauty Dungdung, Annu, Hritika Singh, Dipimonika Toppo, Chandana Jagadish, and Kajal Sadashiv Atpadkar.

The Indian team aims to build on its previous successes in Asia and seeks redemption following a challenging performance in the recent FIH Pro League, where they struggled during the European leg.

Regarding the camp, Indian women's hockey team chief coach Harendra Singh stated, as per a press release from Hockey India, “This camp is pivotal for us. The Asia Cup is not only a prestigious continental event but also a direct pathway to the 2026 World Cup. We are approaching this camp with the utmost seriousness to ensure we arrive in Hangzhou as a well-prepared team.”

“We have kept the core from the last camp to ensure consistency in our strategy while allowing younger players to integrate into the senior team. After a tough Pro League campaign in Europe, where we didn’t achieve the desired results, this camp provides us with an opportunity to reset, refocus, and come back stronger. Additionally, we have pinpointed critical areas in penalty corner defense, which was a significant concern during the Pro League. The atmosphere within the group is positive. The players understand the stakes, and we will utilize every session to enhance our structure, decision-making under pressure, and overall team cohesion,” Singh concluded.

Here is the new 40-member Senior Core Group for the Indian women’s hockey team:

Goalkeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki, Madhuri Kindo, Samiksha Saxena

Defenders: Mahima Chaudhary, Nikki Pradhan, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Jyoti Chhatri, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Anjna Dungdung, Suman Devi Thoudam

Midfielders: Sujata Kujur, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Salima Tete, Manisha Chauhan, Ajmina Kujur, Sunelita Toppo, Lalremsiami, Sharmila Devi, Baljeet Kaur, Mahima Tete, Albela Rani Toppo, Pooja Yadav

Forwards: Dipimonika Toppo, Hritika Singh, Deepika Soreng, Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Beauty Dungdung, Mumtaz Khan, Annu, Chandana Jagadish, Kajal Sadashiv Atpadkar.