Hockey India on Monday, 18 May 2025 named a 22-member Indian Women's Hockey Team for the Tour of Australia 2026, scheduled from 26 to 30 May at the Perth Hockey Stadium. The four-match series serves as direct preparation for the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup 2025–26, set to be held in Auckland from 15 to 21 June.

Squad Balance: Experience Meets Youth

Salima Tete, a bronze medallist at both the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, will captain the side. She is supported by a core of seasoned campaigners — Savita, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalremsiami, and Navneet Kaur — alongside promising debutants including Sonam, Hina Bano, and Shilpi Dabas, the last two receiving their maiden senior team call-ups. Lalthantluangi has also earned her first senior call-up.

Departmental Breakdown

In goal, Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam provide reliable cover. The defensive unit features Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, and debutant Shilpi Dabas.

Tete anchors the midfield alongside Neha, Lalremsiami, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Deepika Soreng, and Sonam, who is yet to make her senior international debut. Up front, Navneet Kaur leads a forward line comprising Baljeet Kaur, Deepika, Annu, Ishika, Hina Bano (also awaiting her senior debut), and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal.

What the Coach Said

Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne emphasised the dual purpose of the tour. 'We have picked a squad with a good balance of experienced and young players, some of whom will get their first minutes at the international level. It's important to keep developing players, and the best way to do that is under pressure in international matches,' he said.

On performance targets, Marijne added: 'This tour is to prepare for the upcoming Nations Cup. I want to see the level of performance we saw in our last two matches in Argentina and build consistency in our performances. That is the level we need to reach, and we have to continue improving so we can perform even better.'

Building on Argentina Form

The squad arrives in Perth on the back of a four-match series in Argentina earlier this year, where India secured two wins — a result that demonstrated resilience and tactical improvement. The team has since been in camp at SAI Bengaluru, focusing on sharpening key aspects of their game ahead of a packed international calendar.

The Perth tour will offer fringe players crucial international exposure before the Nations Cup squad is finalised, with matches on 26, 27, 29, and 30 May at the Perth Hockey Stadium.