Sushila Chanu, who won bronze in the Asian Games, was noticeably absent from India’s ACT team

The 20-person Indian women’s hockey squad for the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT), which will be contested in Ranchi from October 27 to November 5, was noticeably without veteran midfielder Sushila Chanu.

Last week, the Indian women’s team that earned a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games included Sushila, who represented India in the Rio Olympics. She may have an injury or may have been cut from the team, but it was unclear from the media announcement.

Along with Sharmila Devi, another member of the Asian Games squad, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke has been chosen as a substitute player and will accompany the team on their trip as a backup player.

Sushila has been replaced in the group by Baljeet Kaur.

Other than Sushila, there were no real shocks in the group that Savita, the goalie, would be in charge of.

Defender Rich Grace Ekka will stay on as Savita’s assistant.

The team’s other goalkeeper is Bichu Devi Kharibam, while the defense will be led by Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, and Deep Grace.

The midfield lineup will consist of Nisha, Salima Tete, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sonika, Monika, Jyoti, and Baljeet, with Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, and Vandana Katariya making up the attackers.

The other participating countries are Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand in addition to India.

India’s ACT campaign will begin against Thailand on October 27. Thereafter, they will play Malaysia on October 28, China on October 30, Japan on October 31, and Korea on November 2. November 4 and 5 are the dates set for the semifinals and championship.

“This competition is crucial for us to maintain our momentum and our consistent team progress. Although we did well in the Asian Games to win the bronze medal, the next competition will provide us the opportunity to further advance against our Asian rivals, according to India’s head coach Janneke Schopman.

“We’ll have a chance to put what we learned in Hangzhou to use and put ourselves to the test once more.”

Squad:

Savita (captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam are the goalkeepers.

Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (vice captain), Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, and Nikki Pradhan.

Midfielders: Sonika, Monika, Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Salima Tete, Neha, Navneet Kaur, and Nisha

Forwards: Vandana Katariya, Sangita Kumari, Lalremsiami, and

Sharmila Devi and Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke are the subs.