Salima Tete replaces Savita Punia as captain of Indian women’s hockey squad for FIH Pro League tour

In a surprising turn of events, mid-fielder Salima Tete has been appointed as the new captain of the Indian women’s hockey squad, replacing veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia for the upcoming Belgium and England legs of the FIH Pro League. The 24-strong squad will be led by Salima, with Navneet Kaur serving as her deputy for the tour.

Expressing her excitement about the new role, Salima stated, “I am happy that I have been appointed to lead the team. It is a big responsibility and I am looking forward to this new role. We have a strong squad and it’s a mix of experienced and young players.”

The team is gearing up for the Belgium and England legs of the FIH Pro League 2023-2024, with Salima emphasizing their focus on improvement. The squad has seen a few changes, with four players being replaced in the lineup.

The matches in Belgium are set to kick off on May 22, followed by the England leg starting on June 1. India will face tough competition against teams like Argentina, Belgium, Great Britain, and Germany during the tour.

Salima’s recent accolade of the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr Award for Player of The Year further solidifies her position as a key player in the team. With a strong lineup of goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards, the Indian women’s hockey squad is ready to take on the challenges ahead and make their mark in the FIH Pro League.