India has announced a strategic squad rotation for the upcoming Women's Asian Champions Trophy, with veteran goalkeeper
The tournament, hosted at the International Sports Complex in Nathu Barkheda, marks India’s first international appearance since their gold-medal performance at the Asian Games in Japan last month. Mid-fielder
Tactical Shifts and Squad Preparation
Head coach Sjoerd Marijne has confirmed that the squad will undergo several tactical adjustments during the competition. Beyond the change in goal, the coaching staff plans to experiment with player positioning to assess versatility and depth. Among the notable shifts, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal will transition from her usual forward role to the mid-field, while Nikki Pradhan has been moved into the defensive line-up. Additionally, Ishika Chaudhary is set to move from defence to a mid-field position.
Addressing the changes, Marijne stated that the tournament serves as an opportunity to provide other players with international exposure. He noted that the team is eager to perform in front of a home crowd and conclude the calendar year on a high note. Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the momentum built during their recent success at the Asian Games.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The six-team competition features India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and South Korea, all competing in a round-robin format. Each team will play the others once, with the top four sides advancing to the semi-finals scheduled for November 27. The medal matches will follow on November 28.
India is scheduled to open their campaign against Malaysia on November 19. Their subsequent group stage fixtures include matches against South Korea on November 21, Thailand on November 22, China on November 24, and Japan on November 25. The tournament opener will feature top-ranked China against Thailand.
