On 4th of November 2024 (Monday), an 18 member Indian Women’s Hockey Team roster arrived in Gaya, Bihar, for the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024.
The prestigious tournament will be held from November 11 to 20 at the newly built Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar, marking the start of the first international hockey tournament hosted in the state.
The championships will be conducted in round-robin format in the group stage, and the top four teams will reach the semi-finals.
Six teams will be participating this year: India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and China.
While India will be entering as defending champions after defeating Japan in the finals and clinching the title in last year at Ranchi.
The Indian team will be led by captain Salima Tete, with Navneet Kaur serving as vice captain. While the forward line includes Navneet Kaur, Preeti Dubey, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, and Beauty Dungdung, the defense line-up features Ishika Chaudhary, Udita, Jyoti, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, and Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke.
The midfield will be led by Salima Tete, and supporting her will be Manisha Chauhan, Sharmila Devi, Neha, Sunelita Toppo, and Lalremsiami.
Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam will be sharing the goalkeeping duties.
This year’s championship will not be a walk in the park for the two-time champions, World No. 9 India, as the top-ranked women’s hockey team in the competition, World No. 6 China, the most successful team in the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, World No. 15 South Korea, the two-time Women’s Asian Champions Trophy winner, World No. 11 Japan, and World No. 23 and 29 Malaysia and Thailand will also be vying for the trophy.
India will kick off their campaign against Malaysia, followed by a game against Korea on November 12. Then they will face Thailand on November 14, China on November 16, and will end their group stage against Japan on November 17.
India’s squad for the Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024:
FORWARDS
• Navneet Kaur (VC)
• Preeti Dubey
• Sangita Kumari
• Deepika
• Beauty Dungdung
DEFENDERS
• Udita
• Jyoti
• Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke
• Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam
• Ishika Chaudhary
MIDFIELDERS
• Neha
• Salima Tete (C)
• Sharmila Devi
• Manisha Chauhan
• Sunelita Toppo
• Lalremsiami
GOALKEEPERS
• Savita
• Bichu Devi Kharibam
