Indian women’s hockey captain says the upcoming Perth tour will help the team assess its strengths and head into the Nations Cup with renewed confidence.
The Indian women’s hockey team is looking at its upcoming Australia tour as the perfect opportunity to fine-tune preparations ahead of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup, skipper Salima Tete said on Monday.
India will travel to Perth later this month for a four-match series against Australia from May 26 to 30. The tour is expected to play a crucial role in helping the squad gear up for the Nations Cup scheduled in Auckland in June.
Speaking about the importance of the exposure tour, Salima said the matches against a top-quality side like Australia would allow the team to identify areas that still need improvement before the major tournament begins.
The Indian captain also sounded optimistic about the balance within the squad, highlighting the mix of experienced campaigners and promising youngsters who have impressed in recent months. Players like Sonam and Shilpi Dabas earned attention after their performances in the Hockey India League, adding fresh energy to the squad.
India head into the tour after a reasonably successful outing in Argentina earlier this year, where the team managed two wins in four matches. According to Salima, that series gave the players confidence and valuable match experience against quality opposition.
The midfielder stressed that the squad has been working hard at the national camp in Bengaluru and believes the Australia assignment can help the side enter the Nations Cup with the right mindset and momentum.
India’s coaching staff is also expected to closely monitor combinations and tactical setups during the tour as preparations continue for a busy international season that also includes the World Cup and Asian Games in the coming months.
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