India’s squad for FIH Women’s Nations cup announced: Salima to continue as captain

Hockey India named the women's squad for the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup on Tuesday, which is scheduled to begin in Auckland, New Zealand from June 15 to 21. Salima Tete will continue to captain the side as India look to build on the momentum gathered from their recent tours of Argentina and Australia.


Experienced goalkeepers Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam have been retained between the posts, while senior campaigners Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary, and Jyoti will head the defense line. Lalthantluangi and Shilpi Dabas, who made their senior debuts during the Australia tour, have also been included and will look to cement their places at the international level.







Navneet Kaur will lead the attack and is anticipated to maintain her impressive goalscoring streak from recent international matches with seasoned attacking midfielders Lalremsiami and Sonam adding experience and versatility to the forward line.


India have been placed alongside Japan, the United States, and Uruguay in Pool A, while Pool B includes the hosts New Zealand, Chile, Korea, and France.


India will open their Nations Cup campaign against the United States on June 15, followed by Japan on Tuesday, June 16. They will then conclude the pool stage with a game against Uruguay on Thursday, June 18. The semi-finals are scheduled for June 20, with the final on June 21.


India head into the tournament on the back of a four-match friendly series against Australia in Perth, where they recorded a commendable 2-2 aggregate result. Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne emphasised the significance of the team’s preparations for an important upcoming phase with the all-important FIH World Cup and the Asian Games ahead.


"The Nations Cup is an important tournament for us. We want to go there and play with ambition to set a standard for ourselves that we can build on. We have built on those aspects in the Argentina and Australia tours, which gave us good preparation as a team. The squad is motivated and ready for the challenge,” Marijne said.


Sharing his thoughts on the squad selection, he added, "We have named a squad that has the right balance of experience and hunger. Players like Savita, Sushila, Nikki and Navneet have been in big tournaments before and know what it takes to perform under pressure. I am looking forward to seeing how this group comes together in Auckland."


India's 20-member squad for FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup 2025-26:

Goalkeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam


Defenders: Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Ishika Chaudhary, Lalthantluangi, Shilpi Dabas, Jyoti, Nikki Pradhan


Midfielders: Salima Tete (c), Neha, Sunelita Toppo, Sakshi Rana, Deepika Soreng, Sonam, Lalremsiami


Forwards: Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Ishika, Annu
Stay updated with the IPL 2026 Final between RCB and GT on Times of India. Follow live match updates, the latest IPL news, full IPL schedule, and the race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap