In Rani's absence, Savita to lead Indian women in FIH Pro League; Sangita Kumari new face

In the absence of Rani Rampal, Savita will continue to lead the side, while defender Deep Grace Ekka will be her deputy in the two-leg tie against Spain on February 26 and 27

Seasoned goalkeeper Savita was on February 21 named captain of the 22-member Indian team for the FIH Women’s Hockey Pro League tie against Spain in Bhubaneswar this month.

In the absence of Rani Rampal, who is still recovering from an injury in Bengaluru, Savita will continue to lead the side, while defender Deep Grace Ekka will be her deputy in the two-leg tie against Spain on February 26 and 27.

Under the leadership of Savita, the Indian women finished third in the Asia Cup in Muscat, Oman last month.

The 22-member squad will have a new face in young Jharkhand forward Sangita Kumari, who will make her debut next weekend. The team has three goalkeepers in Savita, Rajani Etimarpu and Bichu Devi Khairbam, who is an addition to the squad. Four players have been added to the Indian team from the Asia Cup squad.

Besides Bichu Devi, other three additional players are defender Ishika Chaudhary, midfielder Namita Toppo, striker duo of Sangita and Rajwinder Kaur.

Hockey India selectors also named five stand-by players — Rashmita Minz, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Sonika, Mariana Kujur and Aishwarya Rajesh Chauvan — for the double-header.

Commenting on the team, chief coach Janneke Schopman said, “We are excited to kick off our home Pro League games vs Spain. We had two good training weeks after our return from Oman and I believe the selected 22 players will be ready to show what they can against Spain.