Injured Sushila Chanu rested for Asian Champions Trophy; 20 member women’s team announced in hockey

Experienced midfielder Sushila Chanu has been rested due to injury for the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) to be held in Ranchi from October 27 to November 5. She has not been given a place in the 20-member Indian women’s hockey team. Sushila, who led India at the Rio Olympics, was part of the Indian team that won the bronze medal at the recent Hangzhou Asian Games. Hockey India sources said that Sushila will soon meet the doctor to find out the status of her injury.

Sources said, ‘Sushila has been rested because she is injured. They need to see a doctor. Sushila is an important member of the team and it is important for her to be fit before the upcoming tournaments. Baljeet Kaur has been included in the team in place of Sushila. Vaishnavi Vittal Phalke, who is in the Asian Games squad, has been kept as a backup option along with Sharmila Devi. Apart from Sushila, no major changes have been made in the team led by goalkeeper Savita. Defender Deep Grace Ekka will remain the vice-captain of the team as before.

First match against Thailand on 27th

Apart from India, Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand are the other participating countries in the Asian Champions Trophy. India will start its campaign against Thailand on 27th October. After this, it will play matches against Malaysia (28 October), China (30 October), Japan (31 October) and Korea (2 November).

Indian women’s hockey team coach Yanek Schopman said, ‘It is important to maintain the momentum and continue to improve as a team. We performed well in the Asian Games and won the bronze medal and in the upcoming tournament we will get another opportunity to improve our position against our Asian rivals.

The team is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Savita (captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam,
Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Deep Grace Ekka (Vice-Captain)
Middle row: Nisha, Salima Tete, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sonika, Monica, Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur
Front row: Lalremsiami, Sangeeta Kumari, Deepika, Vandana Kataria
Backup players: Sharmila Devi, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke