Jyoti Singh named Captain of the 23-member squad; team to play five matches during Indian Junior Women’s Squad for Australia Tour in Canberra.
Hockey India on Saturday unveiled the 23-member Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team set to tour Australia later this month. The squad will compete in a five-match series at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra from 26 September to 2 October 2025, a tour that will serve as a vital preparatory step ahead of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025, scheduled to be held in Santiago, Chile in December. The series will feature three matches against the Australia Junior Women’s Team, followed by two fixtures against Canberra Chill, a competitive club side from Australia’s Hockey One League.
With less than three months left before the World Cup, the tour provides the Indian juniors with an opportunity to test their skills against formidable opponents in high-pressure international conditions.
Leadership and Team Composition
At the heart of the squad is Jyoti Singh, who has been named captain. Jyoti has already broken into the senior national team, having represented India in the FIH Hockey Pro League earlier this year, and her elevation to captaincy highlights both her leadership qualities and international exposure. The squad presents a balanced mix of defenders, midfielders, and forwards, carefully selected to ensure depth in all departments. The goalkeeping responsibilities will be shouldered by Nidhi and Engil Harsha Rani Minz, both of whom have shown consistency in national camps.
The defensive lineup is anchored by captain Jyoti Singh herself, alongside Manisha, Lalthantluangi, Mamita Oram, Sakshi Shukla, Puja Sahoo, and Nandni. Together, they form a strong wall expected to counter Australia’s attacking flair. In midfield, India boasts creativity and resilience through Priyanka Yadav, Sakshi Rana, Khaidem Shileima Chanu, Rajni Kerketta, Binima Dhan, Ishika, Sunelita Toppo, and Anisha Sahu. This mix of playmakers and hardworking midfielders is designed to maintain possession, dictate tempo, and support both defence and attack.
The forward line promises speed and sharpness in front of goal with Lalrinpuii, Nisha Minj, Purnima Yadav, Sonam, Kanika Siwach, and Sukhveer Kaur forming the attacking unit. Their ability to convert opportunities into goals will be crucial against world-class opposition.
Building Towards the Junior World Cup
The Indian juniors have been undergoing intensive training at the national coaching camp, focusing on tactical drills, physical conditioning, and match simulations. The Australia tour comes at a perfect juncture, providing a competitive environment for the players to showcase their progress. The exposure to different playing styles, especially against an organized side like Australia, is expected to sharpen India’s adaptability and decision-making under pressure. The matches against Canberra Chill, though not an international side, will test India’s ability to overcome club-level teams that often bring unpredictability and raw competitiveness.
For many players, this will be their first major international tour, and the experience will not only strengthen the team’s collective performance but also accelerate individual growth ahead of December’s World Cup.
Indian Junior Women’s Team Coach Tushar Khandker expressed confidence in his squad, emphasizing both their talent and work ethic.
“This is a talented group of young players who have been working very hard in training. We have tried to strike the right balance across all departments, with players who can adapt to any situation. Although they are young, they are quite experienced for their age and have been playing together really well. The Australia Tour will be a great opportunity for this group to showcase their abilities and gain valuable international experience,” Khandker said.
His words underline the importance of blending youthful enthusiasm with tactical discipline, a combination that has historically helped Indian teams perform on the global stage.
Full Squad List
Goalkeepers
- Nidhi
- Engil Harsha Rani Minz
Defenders
- Manisha
- Jyoti Singh (C)
- Lalthantluangi
- Mamita Oram
- Sakshi Shukla
- Puja Sahoo
- Nandni
Midfielders
- Priyanka Yadav
- Sakshi Rana
- Khaidem Shileima Chanu
- Rajni Kerketta
- Binima Dhan
- Ishika
- Sunelita Toppo
- Anisha Sahu
Forwards
- Lalrinpuii
- Nisha Minj
- Purnima Yadav
- Sonam
- Kanika Siwach
- Sukhveer Kaur
Hockey India has consistently emphasized the development of junior teams as part of its long-term vision to create a sustainable pipeline of talent for the senior squads. Success stories from previous junior batches many of whom now represent India at the highest level serve as motivation for this group of players. The Australia tour is more than just a warm-up series; it is a chance for the squad to build chemistry, test strategies, and identify areas of improvement before stepping onto the world stage in Chile. Each match will offer valuable lessons in endurance, adaptability, and tactical execution.
For captain Jyoti Singh and her teammates, this series represents both a challenge and an opportunity—to prove their readiness, to establish themselves as strong contenders for the Junior World Cup, and to carry forward India’s rising profile in women’s hockey.
