Unfit Rani misses out as India name tried and tested squad for women's hockey World Cup

Rani Rampal was on Tuesday axed from the 18-member Indian women's hockey team, to be led by goalkeeper Savita Punia, for next month's FIH World Cup. Rani, an inspirational skipper and forward who led the Indian women to the historic fourth-place finish at the 2020 Olympics, was picked for the recent FIH Pro League matches in Belgium and Netherlands after recovering from a hamstring injury, which had kept her out of action after the Tokyo Games.

Although part of the squad, Rani didn't feature in the first four games of the side's European leg of Pro League, raising doubts about her full fitness, which eventually cost her a place in the World Cup-bound squad. Besides Rani's exclusion, there are no further surprises as India went for a tried and tested squad, which has been playing together for a long time.

Apart from Rani, defenders Ishika Chaudhary and Akshata Abaso Dhekale, midfielder Baljeet Kaur and striker Sangita Kumari missed out from India's recent FIH Pro League squad as the team management reposed faith on the core group of players. The World Cup will be jointly co-hosted by the Netherlands and Spain from July 1 to 17.

While Savita will continue to lead the side, Deep Grace Ekka remains her deputy. Beside Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam is the other goalkeeper in the 18-member squad.

The defence will be under watchful vigil of Deep Grace, who will also have support from Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan and Udita, while Nisha, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Neha, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur, Sonika and Salima Tete will be in charge of the midfield. The forwardline features the very experienced Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur and Sharmila Devi while talented young stars Akshata and Sangita have been named as