New Delhi: Five Orissa players – defenders Deep Grace Ekka, Sunita Lakra and Namita Toppo, midfielder Lilima Minz and striker Anupa Barla, have been named in the 20-member Indian team for the five-Test series against New Zealand, to be played in Midlands, starting May 14.
Striker Rani will lead the side while defender Sushila Chanu will be Rani’s deputy under the newly-appointed chief coach Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne. Sushila is making a comeback after nearly eight months of rehabilitation due to an injury.
Apart from Deeo, Sunita and Namita, the team are a blend of youth and experience with the defence line comprising Sushila and drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur.
Savita is the first-choice goalkeeper of the squad. She had a fantastic outing at the Women’s Hockey World League Round 2 where she was adjudged the ‘Goalkeeper of the tournament’.
The senior women’s team have had a great start to the new season with a remarkable five-match Test series win against Belarus. The team returned victorious from the Women’s Hockey World League Round 2 beating Chile in the final and securing their berth for the World League Semifinal in June.
The squad: (Goalkeepers): Savita, Rajani Etimarpu; (Defenders): Deep Grace Ekka, Udita, Sunita Lakra, Gurjit Kaur, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Namita Toppo; (Midfielders): Ritu Rani, Lilima Minz, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Renuka Yadav, Nikki Pradhan, Reena Khokar; (Forwards): Rani (captain), Vandana Katariya, Preeti Dubey, Sonika, Anupa Barla.
PTI