With simply over two months to go for the Asian Games 2023, the Indian women’s hockey team might be in Germany to play three preparatory matches, two towards the hosts and a one-off towards the People’s Republic of China.

India will play their first and solely Test match towards China in Limburg on Sunday. After a day’s break, India will play back-to-back Test matches versus Germany in Wiesbaden and Russelsheim.

Goalkeeper Savita Punia will proceed to captain the aspect whereas defender Deep Grace Ekka would be the vice-captain for the tour. Former captain Rani Rampal, who has been fighting accidents, isn’t a part of the 20-member squad named by coach Janneke Schopman. 

“Playing against quality sides in the lead-up to the Asian Games will give us a good learning experience. These matches will be really important for us,” Savita Punia mentioned forward of the tour.

The final time India confronted off towards China was within the FIH Women’s World Cup 2022 and the match resulted in a 1-1 draw. The two groups have performed towards one another 17 instances for the reason that 2013 Women’s Asia Cup with India rising victorious on 10 events whereas China have gained 5.

India are at the moment ranked eighth within the FIH girls’s hockey rankings whereas China are eleventh.

Against world No. 4 Germany, the Indian girls have performed 5 matches since 2013, successful two and dropping three. The two groups final squared off towards one another within the FIH Pro League 2021-22 on March 13 final 12 months. India gained the shoot-out 3-0 after the scores had been tied at 1-1 after regulation time.

India’s midfield can have a mixture of youth and expertise with the likes of Salima Tete and Navneet Kaur within the aspect. Veteran Vandana Katariya will spearhead the Indian frontline.

India’s matches in Germany might be adopted by a visit to Spain for the Torneo del Centenario hockey event, scheduled between July 25 to 30.

Indian girls’s hockey workforce tour of Germany 2023 schedule and begin instances

All in Indian Standard Time (IST)

• July 16, Sunday: India vs China – 7:30 PM
• July 18, Tuesday: Germany vs India – 2:30 PM
• July 19, Wednesday: Germany vs India – 9:00 PM

Indian girls’s hockey workforce for Germany tour

Goalkeepers: Savita Punia (captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam

Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (vice-captain), Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary, Udita, P Sushila Chanu 

Midfielders: Nisha, Monika, Salima Tete, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sonika, Baljeet Kaur, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Jyoti Chhatri

Forwards: Lalremsiami, Vandana Katariya, Sangita Kumari, Deepika