Ritu Rani to lead India at WHL semis

Ritu Rani will lead the Indian women’s hockey team in the FIH World League Round 3 (Semifinals) at Rotterdam, The Netherlands, from June 13-23.

Midfielder Chanchan Devi was named vice-captain of the 18-member squad announced by Hockey India.

The women’s team is currently training at NIS, Patiala. The team will leave for Rotterdam on June 5. 

The team qualified for the FIH Women World League Round 3 in February this year by winning the Round 2 tournament in New Delhi. 

The FIH World League is a qualification tournament for the World Cup 2014 to be played in The Hague, The Netherlands, next year from May 31 to June 14. India is placed in Pool B with New Zealand, Germany and Belgium while hosts The Netherlands, Korea, Japan and Chile are placed in Pool A.

The squad: Goalkeepers: Savita, Rajni Etimarpu. Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Kirandeep Kaur, Namita Toppo, Sushila Chanu, Sunita Lakra, Manjeet Kaur. Midfielders: Ritu Rani (capt), Chanchan Devi (vice-captain), Navjot Kaur, Vandana Katariya, Lily Chanu. Forwards: Anupa Barla, Poonam Rani, Roselin Dung Dung, Lilima Minz, Ritusha Arya.