No Savita like Marijne is trying to experiment with India in the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy

Veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia will miss the upcoming Women’s Asian Champions Trophy campaign in Bhopal after the tournament rest. Bansari Solanki was brought into the team as her replacement and head coach Sjoerd Marijne also decided to use the competition to experiment with players and use them in different roles.

Hockey India announced the 18-member squad on Tuesday ahead of the 19-28 tournament. November, which will be held at the newly constructed International Sports Complex at Nathu Barkheda, Bhopal. India head into the competition as the defending champions having lifted the trophy in 2016, 2023 and 2024.

Salima Tete will continue as captain as the Indian women’s team returns to international action for the first time since their memorable gold medal campaign at the Asian Games in Japan last month.

Bansari, 25, is no stranger to the national set-up. She was part of the Indian team that clinched the Asia Cup title last year. Bichu Devi Kharibam will be the next goalkeeper in the lineup.

Marijne also made some interesting positional changes as she tries to explore different combinations. Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, who featured in the forward line during the Asian Games, was included among the midfielders. Nikki Pradhan, traditionally a midfielder, will take up a defensive role while Ishika Chaudhary moves in the opposite direction from defense to midfield.

“This is the time when I want to give other players a chance to showcase their talent on the international stage. Some players will play in different positions than they usually play to see how they perform in a different role,” said head coach Sjoerd Marijne. “We’re excited to play in front of our home crowd and finish the year off on a high note.”

Six teams will compete for the title, with India joined by China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and South Korea. The Koreans will be aiming for a fourth crown having won the tournament three times, breaking India’s record.

The competition will begin with a one-on-one tournament involving all six sides. Each team will play five matches, with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals.

China, currently the highest ranked team in Asia, will face Thailand in the opening match. India will face Malaysia later in the day after the opening ceremony to begin their title defence.

The hosts then face South Korea on November 21, Thailand on November 22, China on November 24 and Japan on November 25.

The semi-finals are scheduled for November 27, with the play-offs and the third-place final taking place on November 28.

INDIA SQUAD FOR WOMEN’S ACT

GOALKEEPERS

Bansari Solanki

Bichu Devi Kharibam

DEFENDERS

Nikki Pradhan

Jyoti

Jyoti Singh

Sushila Chana

Lalthantluangi

Pooja Sahoo

MIDWIFE

Rutuja Dadaso Wrote

Sunelita Toppo

Salima Tete (c)

Tenderness

Sakshi Rana

Baljeet Kaur

Ishaq

FORWARD

Navneet Kaur

Deepika

The beauty of Dungdung

Lalremsiam

Mumtaz Khan

– The end