Salima Tete will captain a 20-member Indian hockey team for the forthcoming Women’s Asia Cup 2025, which is set to take place in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China, from September 5 to 14.
The winner of the Asia Cup will earn an automatic qualification for next year’s Women’s Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands, thereby increasing the stakes of the tournament.
The Indian women’s hockey team has been placed in Pool B, competing against Japan, Thailand, and Singapore.
India will commence their campaign against Thailand on September 5, followed by matches against Japan on September 6 and Singapore on September 8.
The squad features a well-rounded combination of seasoned players and rising talent.
“Our emphasis will be on executing an aggressive and disciplined style of hockey, and we are confident that this team possesses the ability to compete effectively against the top teams in Asia,” stated Harendra Singh, the head coach of the Indian women’s hockey team.
India has previously claimed the Women’s Asia Cup title twice, winning the tournament in 2004 and 2017.
The Indian team aims to capitalize on its previous achievements in Asia and seeks to recover from a difficult experience in the FIH Pro League 2024-25, during which they faced challenges in regaining their form throughout the European segment and were subsequently demoted to the FIH Nations Cup.
India’s Women’s Asia Cup 2025 hockey team consists of the following players:
Goalkeepers: Bansari Solanki, Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders: Manisha Chauhan, Udita, Jyoti, Suman Devi Thoudam, Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary
Midfielders: Neha, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Salima Tete (captain), Sharmila Devi, Lalremsiami, Sunelita Toppo
Forwards: Navneet Kaur, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Beauty Dungdung, Mumtaz Khan, Deepika, Sangita Kumari