Indian women's hockey team to tour Australia, play four matches in Perth ahead of Nations Cup

Hockey India on Tuesday announced that the Indian women's hockey team will tour Australia from 21 May to 3 June as part of preparations for the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup, scheduled for 15–21 June in Auckland, New Zealand. During the tour, India will face Australia in four matches at the Perth Hockey Stadium from 26–30 May, with fixtures on 26, 27, 29, and 30 May.

Tour Schedule and Preparation

The Australia leg serves as a critical warm-up before the team travels to New Zealand for additional practice matches leading into the Nations Cup. The staggered travel — splitting the journey into two legs rather than one long flight — will allow the squad to acclimatise more effectively. Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne noted that Perth's cooler climate closely mirrors New Zealand's conditions, making it an ideal preparation ground.

Building on Argentina Success

The Indian women's squad arrives in Australia off the back of an encouraging tour of Argentina earlier this year, where they secured two wins across four matches. Since returning, the team has been in intensive preparation at the SAI Bengaluru national camp, refining tactical and technical aspects. Marijne emphasised that the Australia tour will reveal how much the team has improved and whether they can sustain the momentum from their Argentine victories.

Specialist Drag-Flick Training

In a targeted skills initiative, the team's drag-flickers will undergo specialised training under Dutch legend Taeke Taekema from 26 May to 21 June, spanning both Perth and Auckland. The clinic is supported by Anandana, the Coca-Cola India Foundation, and aims to sharpen one of women's hockey's most decisive skills ahead of the Nations Cup.