Fit-again Rani returns, Savita to lead India women vs Netherlands in Pro League

Rani Rampal on Tuesday returned to the national side after a lengthy injury lay-off as India on Tuesday named a 22-member women's hockey squad for the upcoming FIH Pro League tie against world No. 1 Netherlands. The squad also includes two new faces in midfielder Mahima Choudhary and striker Aishwarya Rajesh Chavan, who will make their senior team debut in the double leg tie to be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Friday and Saturday.

Rani, who led India to a historic fourth place finish in the Olympics last year, has not played for the national team since the Tokyo Games due to several injuries, mainly hamstring problem. Since then Rani has been undergoing rehabilitation at the SAI south centre in Bengaluru but she is now fit to take the field again. Goalkeeper Savita will continue to lead India and will be assisted by Deep Grace Ekka.

India, though, will be without the services of Tokyo Olympians Salima Tete, Sharmila Devi and Lalremsiami who are representing India in the Junior Women's World Cup in South Africa. The national selectors also named three standby players -- Upasana Singh, Preeti Dubey and Olympian Vandana Katariya. "It's great to be back on the field for our Hockey Pro League games vs the Netherlands after the disappointment of England not being able to visit.