After completing their successful tour of Australia, the Indian National Hockey Team will now compete in the Nations Cup. The team had a four-game friendly series against Australia, which was played in Perth, Australia.
Through this series, Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne has been able to evaluate different types of players and combinations before a busy schedule of international events.
Four exciting games were played between the two teams, but once again, the result of the series ended in a tie, with each team winning two games apiece and receiving valuable game and practice time before the Auckland tournament.
Balanced Women’s Hockey Squad
The hockey team features a blend of experienced international players alongside rookies who have carved their path within their national teams, who have recently displayed performance levels deemed good enough to be caught up by the national selectors.
The veterans, Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam, are selected as goalkeepers to offer experience and stability with an already solid defensive unit.
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The defence line members will include experienced players Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Nikki Pradhan, and Jyoti, with Lalthantluangi and Shilpi Dabas just having received their senior debuts on the recent Australian tour of the team.
Captain of the Indian women’s hockey team, Salima Tete, will lead the midfield, relying on the experience of teammates Neha, Sunelita Toppo and Sakshi Rana.
Newly capped midfielder Deepika Soreng will also be instrumental in the Indian women’s team as they strive for success in the championship.
India’s leading goal-scorer, Navneet Kaur, will provide leadership for the Indian women’s team while heading the forward line with the assistance of her forwards during the tournament.
The Australia tour provides valuable preparation
The Indian team heads into the Nations Cup following a productive tour of Australia, where they played a four-match friendly series against the hosts in Perth.
The series allowed Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne to assess combinations and provide valuable exposure to several younger players ahead of a busy international calendar.
India finished the series level at 2-2 after four competitive matches, gaining important match practice before the Auckland tournament.
India is drawn in Pool A
India has been placed in Pool A alongside Japan, the United States and Uruguay.
Pool B consists of hosts New Zealand, Chile, Korea and France.
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The top teams from the group stage will progress to the knockout rounds, with the semi-finals scheduled for June 20 and the final set to be played on June 21.
India’s Nations Cup schedule
| Date | Match | Time (IST) | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 15 | India vs United States | 4:15 PM | Group Stage |
| June 16 | India vs Japan | 6:30 PM | Group Stage |
| June 18 | India vs Uruguay | 4:15 PM | Group Stage |
| June 20 | TBD | TBD | Semi-finals |
| June 21 | TBD | TBD | Final |
India Women’s Squad for FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup 2025-26
Here’s the full Women’s Squad for FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup:
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Savita |
| Goalkeepers | Bichu Devi Kharibam |
| Defenders | Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam |
| Defenders | Ishika Chaudhary |
| Defenders | Lalthantluangi |
| Defenders | Shilpi Dabas |
| Defenders | Jyoti |
| Defenders | Nikki Pradhan |
| Midfielders | Salima Tete (Captain) |
| Midfielders | Neha |
| Midfielders | Sunelita Toppo |
| Midfielders | Sakshi Rana |
| Midfielders | Deepika Soreng |
| Midfielders | Sonam |
| Midfielders | Lalremsiami |
| Forwards | Navneet Kaur |
| Forwards | Deepika |
| Forwards | Rutuja Dadaso Pisal |
| Forwards | Ishika |
| Forwards | Annu |
Also Read: Hockey India Unveils India’s Squad For U18 Asia Cup 2026
