Asia Cup Hockey: Savita Punia named captain of Indian women's team

In the absence of regular captain Rani Rampal, the experienced Indian goalkeeper Savita Punia will lead the defending champions in the women's Asia Cup event in Muscat.

Hockey India named a strong 18-member squad for the Asia Cup which has 16 players that featured in Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Indian team is placed in Pool A along with Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore and India will play their first match against Malaysia on the opening day.

The Women's Asia Cup will kick-start from January 21 at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex with semifinals and final are scheduled to take place on January 26 and 28 respectively.

Notably, the semifinalists will directly qualify for the 2022 Women's World Cup in Span and the Netherlands.

Also read: U-19 World Cup: How two Punjabi immigrants got into Australia & England's squad against all odds

Indian squad

Indian women's team: Goalkeepers: Savita (C), Rajani Etimarpu.

Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (VC), Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita. Midfielders: Nisha, Sushila Chanu, Monika, Neha, Salima Tete, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur. Forwards: Navneet Kaur, Lalremsiami, Vandana Katariya, Mariana Kujur, Sharmila Devi.